ENG-1982 — Page 91

Something for Everyone

With the local population's preference for fresh food, open-air markets are still a way of life in Hong Kong despite the rapid growth of supermarkets and the availabil- ity of a large variety of imported frozen produce. By dawn, the wholesale markets are stacked with freshly-cut vegetables, and the previous night's catch delivered by the fishing fleet. There are seven wholesale fish markets and one wholesale market for fruit and vegetables and these supply more than 80 retail markets and 36.000 licensed hawkers as well as numerous other outlets. Retail outlets are under the control of the Urban Council in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and the government in the New Territories. The Urban Council is engaged in an extensive development programme to re-provision old market buildings and to provide modern multi-purpose market complexes. During 1982, five new retail markets were completed, taking increasing numbers of hawkers and stalls off the streets. Yet while these new premises provide hygienic, efficient facilities and orderly marketing arrangements, traditional traders still offer plenty of rewards to the thrifty shopper. Every conceivable household item, as well as toys, electrical goods, clothing, curios, even jade, and a myriad other bargain buys, can be found at the wide range of market stalls throughout the territory.

Previous page: A colourful flower stall at the quayside market on Cheung Chau Island offers chrysanthemums and gladioli that grow year-round in the territory. Left: Brightly coloured banners (known as fa pai) mark the opening of an Urban Council market complex in Tuen Mun; the Fish Marketing Organisation manages the Cheung

at the Pha Wan wholesale fish market;

at the wholesale market managed by the Vegetable Marketing Organisation, fresh vegetables await distribution.