Introduction to the sector
The fruit and vegetable section of Mercabarna is made up of around 250 companies which operate in the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market and the Complementary Activities Zone (ZAC). These companies have an annual turnover of more than 2.1 million tonnes of produce, making this section the first European fruit and vegetable market.
Central Fruit and Vegetable Market
Transferred to Mercabarna on 9 August 1971, this was the first market to be established in the Food Unit, having previously been in the emblematic "Born de Barcelona" precinct.
It is the market that occupies the largest area (more than 170,000 m2 distributed across 7 buildings), generates the most trade and draws the most people. Around 180 companies operate from 440 points of sale. It sells more than 1 million tonnes of produce a year that is distributed worldwide.
Since 1989, the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market has operated throughout the day, unlike most of the world's wholesale markets which continue operating in the early morning.
Complementary Activities Zone
Located in the Mercabarna Complementary Activities Zone (ZAC) are around 100 fruit and vegetable companies that run businesses complementary to the Central Market:
- Companies specialising in the handling, ripening, preparation, packaging, preservation, distribution, importing and exporting of fruit and vegetables or which are specialists in potatoes, bananas, organic produce, etc.
- The purchasing centres of the large food distribution companies and specialist fruit chains source their fresh produce at Mercabarna.
- Companies that specialise in supplying the catering industry.
Market opening times
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm
Unloading times
Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 pm
Loading times
Monday to Friday 12 pm to 5 pm
Business associations
Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers' Business Association of Barcelona City and Province (AGEM)
- Chairman: Jaume Flores
- Manager: Antoni Marrugat
- Address: Mercado Central de Frutas y Hortalizas. Pabellón G, carrer Major 75 2ª Planta. Mercabarna. 08040. Barcelona
- Telephone: 93 556 20 00
- Fax: 93 556 20 06
- Email: agem(ELIMINAR)@agemmercabarna.cat(ELIMINAR)
- Web: www.agem.mercabarna.com
Provincial Fruit and Vegetable Retailers Association of Barcelona
- Chairman: Constantino Mora
- Manager: Marc Taribó
- Address: Mercado Central de Frutas y Hortalizas. Pabellón G. carrer Major, 75 3ª planta. Mercabarna. 08040 Barcelona
- Telephone: 93 335 53 37
- Fax: 93 263 03 80
- Email: gremifruiters(ELIMINAR)@gremifruiters.com
- Web: www.gremifruiters.com
Children's campaign
Mercabarna and the Fruit and Vegetable Wholesalers' Business Association (AGEM) have been organising the '5 A Day' campaign since 1998, an initiative designed to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables by schoolchildren throughout Catalonia and by their families. Every year more than 5,000 children aged between 10 and 12 participate.
The central focus of the campaign is a day full of activities at Mercabarna. A visit to the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market is the highlight of the event, where the children can be amazed by the aromas and colours of fruit and vegetables from the local area and around the world. In a fun atmosphere, the children experience new tastes and textures which are complemented by a meal based on freshly squeezed juices, salads and fruit skewers.
Contact
- Susana Aspuro Manager Central Fruit and Vegetable Market
- Telephone: 93 556 32 02 / 93 556 30 00
- Fax: 93 556 31 20
- Email: aspuro(ELIMINAR)@mercabarna.cat