Odessa Privoz Market – A Cultural Shopping Experience Without Limits

According to the history books, the Privoz farmer’s market started in 1827 when wares were first sold from the back of several horse-driven carts in Privoznaya Street. This was an offshoot of a nearby market known as the old Stary Bazaar which was Odessa’s first bazaar. Slowly the trend of selling different goods from this location caught on and people of all sorts started selling virtually anything here. Soon, a market grew and the Privoz farmer’s market became an institution. To this day, the Privoz market at Privoznaya 14 is still one of the best places to go shopping for fresh produce. It is the largest food market in Ukraine and possibly one of the biggest in the world. However the Odessa Privoz Market is about more than just fresh fruit and vegetables. The market has become a place where just about anything can be found. Construction materials, clothes, consumer goods and second-hand parts are everywhere. Cheap clothing knock-offs are popular with buyers on a budget while pirated movies and music CDs are commonplace. You can buy caviar, shoes, perfume and toiletries; rusty tools and old floppy disk drives – there is virtually no end to what you will find here.

The Odessa Privoz Market has been said to resemble a cross between a recycling center and a department store. Fully-fledged shops are mingled with street-side vendor stalls. Haggling is expected and pickpockets are quite commonplace so it is advisable that visitors be wary of this. For centuries the Privoz market has been favorably referred to in literature and music as a place to meet people, go shopping and enjoy some light gossip. There is so much available here that some have even joked that it is possible to purchase nuclear devices at the Privoz market. Whether that is true or not, a visit to this massive market should be a part of every visitor’s travel itinerary.

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