The Victorian Coalition plans to sell the Melbourne wholesale fruit and vegetable market if it wins the November state election.
The sale of the government-owned 67-hectare site at Epping, just off the Hume Freeway in the city's north, would be a key budget-balancing measure.
Meanwhile, Labor has ruled out a sale, meaning the market's future will be decided by the election.
Vendors at the market have had big rent increases in recent years. (ABC News: Joseph Dunstan)
Shadow Agriculture Minister Emma Kealy said the Coalition wants the market "back in the hands" of wholesalers or industry.
"This will raise around $600 million, which will help to pay down the state's debt that we're grappling with," she said.
"The leading markets in Australia that have gone down this pathway … government doesn't make for the best landlord when it comes to these sorts of businesses."
Market making a loss
The wholesale fruit and vegetable market moved to Epping in August 2015, following the closure of the previous decades-old market in West Melbourne.
It is the only wholesale trading centre in the state with 3,000 tenants selling fresh produce and cut flowers to independent retailers, hospitality businesses, aged care facilities, food processors and manufacturers.
An eight-month industrial dispute over rents ended in June 2025, when a new deal was agreed to by stallholders.
Emma Kealy says the sale would put the market back in the hands of wholesalers. (Supplied: Emma Kealy)
"The Melbourne wholesale fruit and veg market has been facing a lot of challenges over the past few years," Ms Kealy said.
"Unfortunately, the way … the statutory body of the Melbourne Market Authority was established, it has never been able to deliver a surplus.
"In fact, it's making about a $10 million loss every year.
"These wholesalers are just looking to be able to sell their fruit and their veg at a point which they're able to make a profit."
Michaela Settle says the sale would increase fruit and vegetable prices. (ABC News)
While the Coalition is using this pledge as a way to claw back debt, Labor is standing firm on its plan to keep the market.
"Victorians haven't even voted yet, and [Opposition Leader] Jess Wilson is already selling off our assets," Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said in a statement.
"The Liberals are addicted to flogging everything off.
"Families are already doing it tough, and all this will do is make groceries more expensive, and leave farmers worse off."
Industry ownership opportunity
Vendor representative Fresh State has cautiously welcomed the Coalition's idea.
"It's an election promise I'd be happy to hear from either side, to be fair," Fresh State managing director and chief executive Jason Cooper said.
"For too long the market's been operated as a government-owned property asset rather than essential infrastructure supporting Victoria's fresh produce industry."
"It's a successful model that's been proven around the rest of the country that markets work better when they're run by people that actually know them."
Jason Cooper says he would welcome industry ownership of the market. (Supplied: Fresh State)
Mr Cooper disagreed with the government's assertion that shoppers and farmers would be worse off.
"I'm not sure how you could possibly make it any worse for them," he said.
"We don't simply want to see the government sell an essential piece of infrastructure to the highest bidder and walk away.
"We want a carefully structured transition that provides the industry with the opportunity to participate in its own ownership."