The market, founded in 1988, has expanded rapidly with the country's economic growth. It covers an area the size of 170 soccer fields, and for years has supplied more than 80 percent of the capital's agricultural produce.

It became known affectionately as the capital's "giant veggie basket" and "fruit platter".

The nicknames are accurate: Last year, more than 17 million metric tons of produce were traded at the market, which had a turnover of 132 billion yuan ($19 billion).

Out of more than 4,600 domestic agricultural wholesale markets, Xinfadi ranked first for 17 consecutive years in trading volume and turnover.

Although the market will not serve individuals, a nearby convenience vegetable market of 1,000 square meters opened to the public for a trial run on July 28. It has 22 stands selling vegetables, fruit, oil and eggs. Residents in nearby neighborhoods are the main customers.