Operation and Present Situation of the Fruit “Lan” (Wholesaler)

The Rua do Teatro and Rua da Tercena that are within close proximity of each other have been the fruit distribution centre of Macao. It is run by fruit “lans” (wholesalers) operated in the two-storey buildings flanking these two narrow streets. Most of them have been in the business for decades. In the days of early Macao, Nam Kwong Trading Company imported fruits from China by land and distributed them to local fruit wholesalers. Today, many wholesaled fruits are from abroad that had been exported to Hong Kong by sea and transshipped to Macao.

In the past, the fruit wholesalers along Rua do Teatro had two main sources of clients. They were the general consumers and “kai chai”, being individuals who bought the fruits for their own retailing. Nowadays, their clientele has grown to include supermarkets and hotels. By nightfall, Rua do Teatro turns extremely hectic and crowded. The wholesalers are busy making inventories of the incoming goods before sending them to the different marketplaces, supermarkets and hotels.