ABSTRACT
It is generally assumed that the wholesale markets in Chile provide an outlet for all kinds of farmers, including small-scale farmers (either directly or through an intermediary). In addition, it is often claimed that both directly and through the street markets for which they are the suppliers, wholesale markets offer real benefits to poor consumers. Fruits and vegetables are an important agriculture crop for small farmers and most fruit and vegetable transactions in Chile take place in the traditional (small farmer–wholesale market–street market) marketing chain; in turn, fruits and vegetables are by far the most important commodity in that chain. But supermarkets are entering in force in both the upper-middle class and lower-income neighbourhoods, and not only in Santiago. The rapid increase of supermarket numbers and sales all over Chile in all types of neighbourhoods has a large and increasing impact on the entire food chain, from farmers through to consumers.
