Consignaciones del Mar is a company in the Confremar Group dedicated to importing, processing and marketing fish. Q- You’re looking to expand onto new markets, is that right? A- Yes, we have been trying to move onto markets apart from France and Italy since 2011 when the downturn started to bite.
Mercados Exteriores is a consultancy firm that specialises in exporting and which is working with Mercabarna via the Barcelona Food Cluster Association to help estate businesses seek common synergies to expand onto new markets.
The trade fair Fresh Turkiye was held in Istanbul from 11 to 13 January. This new event (the second time it has been held) is small in size but brings together the leading players in the fruit and vegetable sector in Turkey.
Mercabarna has for many years been a beacon for countless institutions around the world, keen to drawn on the Food Unit’s experience to roll out improvement and renovation projects for their wholesale markets.
Mercabarna managing director Josep Tejedo and the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) general director Salvador Maluquer signed a cooperation agreement on 15 January by which food estate businesses may use the scientific and technical services afforded by the PCB’s technology platforms under preferential economic conditions (a 30% discount). This means they will enjoy the same prices as any of the 70 organisations and companies located on the PCB premises.
In view of the current economic downturn, Barcelona City Council’s Area of Quality of Life, Equality and Sport has created the Food Surplus Committee. This organisation seeks to increase and make better use of the city’s food surplus in order to cover the basic needs of a greater number of families.
For the sixth year running, and with Mercabarna’s support, the Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Business Association (AGEM) and the Fish Wholesale Business Association (GMP) held a joint press conference on 18 December to familiarise consumers with fresh produce trends for this Christmas.
Mercabarna and the ASSOCOME business association set up three new technical commissions in November to launch projects that affect food-estate users as a whole and which strive for sustainability and resource saving. Focusing on mobility, energy and water treatment, the three commissions join forces with the two that have already been in operation for years: Telecommunications –which includes the Fruit and Vegetable and Fish Wholesale Business Associations– and Health and Job Safety.
There is a growing trend among food distribution companies to offer customers produce from sustainable fisheries. For this reason, they are increasingly asking suppliers to prove they are certified as purveyors of such produce.
Around 1,800 florists from across Spain took part in the 29th Mercademostraciones fair organised by Mercabarna-flor and held on 11 November. The fair is a singular opportunity in Spain for flower sector professionals (wholesalers, florists, floral art schools and more) to meet and hear about the latest trends and novelties in flower fashion and home and store decorations for the Christmas season.
