How Sixth Street has transformed to become Eastleigh's leading vegetable market

Eastleigh’s Sixth Street on Second Avenue has quickly transformed into the primary vegetable market in the area, with hundreds of vendors gathering daily to sell a wide range of vegetables and fruits.

The street has become the most recognised destination for fresh produce, attracting residents and business owners from across Eastleigh and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

While vegetable stalls exist in other parts of Eastleigh, Sixth Street has become the largest and most reliable source for a wide selection of fresh produce. Vendors offer everything from potatoes, cabbages, onions, and dhania to a wide variety of other vegetables.

According to residents, this location is now the go-to area for vegetables, surpassing other smaller and scattered markets.

Over the years, this section of Eastleigh was known as a hub for meat products. Major butcheries dominated the area for many years, supplying different types of meat to residents and businesses.

However, in recent years, the area has seen a shift, with vegetable traders gradually taking over and turning Sixth Street into the centre of fresh produce trade.

The market serves a wide area beyond just Second Avenue. Shoppers from parts of Yusuf Haji Avenue, Third Street, and even more distant locations now frequent Sixth Street.

One of the main attractions of this market is not only the availability of a wide variety of vegetables but also the competitive pricing. Many customers report being able to find fresh, affordable produce that lasts for days.

Amina Hussein, a resident of Ninth Street, visits the market regularly and prefers the unripe tomatoes sold there. "I like the unripe tomatoes here because they are affordable and can serve me for one to two weeks."

Another long-time customer, Faiza Mohamed, stated that the variety of vegetables available is a major reason why she shops there. “Vegetables here are so fresh and are of different varieties, you can even find garlic from China here.”

Most of the vegetables sold on Sixth Street are sourced from other counties and get to the market early in the morning. Other supplies are brought in by vendors using hand carts and wheelbarrows.

The market begins operation early in the day, with traders ready to serve customers by 6 am.

Michael Mutiso, one of the vendors operating in the area, said he has been selling vegetables on Sixth Street for the past two years.

"I have operated from this place for two years now, customers already know this place, and this is where they come every day to purchase vegetables," he said.

Mutiso noted that the popularity of the location has made it an ideal spot for this type of business.

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Vegetable trading, which was initially dominated by women, now sees active participation from men as well. Many have joined the trade in recent years, contributing to the market's growth and competition.

Halima Abdile, a mother of five, has been selling vegetables on Sixth Street for over four years. She recalled the transformation of the area since she began.

“These buildings were not here when I started this work; they have all been constructed in my presence,” she said.

Halima noted that competition has significantly increased over the years as more vendors enter the business. Small restaurants, which are numerous in Eastleigh, also depend heavily on the vegetables from Sixth Street.

The affordability and availability make it a practical source for daily purchases.

While Jam Street and parts of 18th Street on Yusuf Haji Avenue also serve as vegetable supply centers, Sixth Street is increasingly becoming the dominant market for fresh produce in Eastleigh.