Learning from Britain’s biggest and best wholesale market was the aim when a group from Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Development Company visited New Covent Garden in October.

Five representatives from the development company toured the market estate, visiting the Flower Market and seeing the new Fruit and Vegetable Market units. They were also particularly keen to find out more about activities away from the selling side – specifically the recycling operation and the shared kitchen spaces at Mission Kitchen.

“We wanted to see the role of New Covent Garden Market in the entire food value chain,” says Mohammed Qahwaji, Director of Value Chain Development. “This was our final visit after trips to markets across Europe to see best practice, share knowledge, and find collaboration opportunities.”

The Riyadh Development Company owns and runs well-known markets in Riyadh, including Uteiqah Markets, AlTameer Wholesale Market, and AlAziziah Central Market. AlAziziah Central Market is the largest central market in the Middle East, serving a large portion of the population and businesses within the capital, as well as many other cities in Saudi Arabia.