They came, they saw, they went about their business - crowds and crowds of folk seeking fresh fare for their Christmas tables.
Large numbers had already gathered at the pre-Christmas market by 10am, ensuring many of the prized items on people's shopping list had sold out before the official 1pm start.
Strawberries for about $5 a punnet proved to be the most elusive item, selling out by noon. Cherries for $14 a kilogram and new potatoes for about $4 a kg also sold well, stallholders said.
Butlers Fruit Farm owner Donald Butler packed up just after 1pm, after selling out all but a few punnets of gooseberries.
"It has been a great market . . .It always is."
Stall prices were "a wee bit" more expensive at the pre-Christmas market, as it gave an opportunity to pass on a bonus to his hard-working staff who had been picking fruit since 5.30am, he said.
However, John Gilchrist, of Willowbrook Orchard, Roxburgh East, said he resisted the urge to raise prices.
"I can't do that at Christmas time."
Ten-year-old Matthew Brins-don, of Cromwell, had his own stall and was selling his "kid bags" of cherries for $10 a pop.
"They are selling well."
Matthew, who picked the cherries the day before, said he earned about $200 from selling his bags.
Asked what he planned to spend the money on, he replied: "My mum says I am saving for a house."
Ray Goddard (63), of Sawyers Bay, said for the past three days he had been digging potatoes since 8.30am and then boxing them until 10pm to be ready for the market.
Having set up his stall at 11am, he had sold out two hours later.
Jersey bennes, at $4 a kilo, were the most popular, he said.
Donna Harrex said she was pleased to be back in Dunedin for Christmas after working as a school teacher in Perth for the past year, and especially "to be at the best farmers market in the world".
While Australia had a good selection of fruit, she had missed apricots and new potatoes.
Closely guarding the two punnets of strawberries she had bought earlier in the day was market manager Lesley Cox, who said about 400 people were at the market by 11am as stallholders began setting up.
"In a word, it has been chaotic."
