Reply: The current facilities at the National Wholesale Market include an auction hall of 6,700 m2, some 46 loading bays, and parking space of 1,375 m2. The Mauritius Agricultural Marketing (National Wholesale Market) Regulations 2023, provide for the modalities for the auctions of vegetables and fruits at the National Wholesale Market, which are as follows – (i) Delivery: suppliers (growers) deliver their produce through designated gates from 04 30 hours to 15 00 hours on weekdays (except for Wednesdays when the National Wholesale Market is closed for cleaning purposes) and from 04 30 hours to 08 00 hours on Saturdays; (ii) Grading: goods delivered are then graded by the suppliers (growers) and labelled by both auctioneers and suppliers (growers), before being put on auction at the Market; (iii) Auction: auctions are carried out from 05.30 hours to 12. 30 hours on weekdays (excluding Wednesdays) and on Saturdays, and (iv) Payment: buyers pay auctioneers directly, with suppliers receiving payment within a few days. With regard to part (a) of the question, the National Wholesale Market was set up as a financially self-sustaining enterprise, with the key objective of providing a modern marketing infrastructure for the handling of fruits and vegetables in compliance with relevant

153 agricultural and food norms and standards. However, the following shortcomings have to be addressed – (a) no provision has been made for a dedicated fruit auction hall due to which, fruit auctioneers are accommodated in temporary tents during peak fruit seasons, that is, from October to February; (b) the Market is still not fitted-out with a sewer treatment plant, adequate parking space, controlled access points, toll gate and weighbridge. These additional facilities are expected to cost Government an amount of Rs100 million, and (c) small growers and dealers residing in the northern and eastern regions have made representations regarding high transport costs to access the National Wholesale Market, which add up to their operating costs. It is to be noted that the National Wholesale Market project has been subject to criticisms of the National Audit Office in its reports for the financial years 2018-2019, 2020- 2021 and 2021-2022, as well as more recently by the Public Accounts Committee. Also, the National Wholesale Market has been operating at a deficit since its launching. The operational costs of the Market over the period July 2023 to December 2024 was Rs49,732,578 while only an amount of Rs16,039,300 was generated as revenue. As regards part (b) of the question, a committee is being set up to make recommendations on making the National Wholesale Market financially sustainable. The Operations Committee of the Board of the Agricultural Marketing Board, on its part, would look into the operational improvements required. STC – LEGAL ADVISORS – FEES