On 15-18 June, Víctor Trigueros, director of Mercabarna’s Slaughterhouse, visited the Slaughterhouse in Casablanca, Morocco to gain in-depth knowledge of the operation of this slaughterhouse, the largest in Africa (25,000 m2) and a point of reference for slaughter according to Islamic ritual.
On 18 June and following the period of drought which affected Barcelona, Mercabarna hosted the day session “The Present and Future of Water in Mercabarna” with the aim of sharing experiences and providing ideas for fostering more conscientious water consumption in the Food Unit.
At present, Mercabarna has the largest Slaughterhouse in Catalonia, where 25% of the total animals in this autonomous region are slaughtered (cattle, sheep and horse). Now this centre is facing a process of change, in order to respond to increased demand prompted by the growth of the immigrant population and market globalisation. This process is highlighted by two developments: the enlargement of the Slaughterhouse and the construction of a new slaughter line for lambs.
On 11 July, Jaume Bosch, mayor of Sant Boi de Llobregat, visited the Mercabarna-flor facilities. The mayor showed great interest in getting to know this new market because, although a small part of it is located on property belonging to El Prat de Llobregat, most of it is in Sant Boi.
In the early hours of 3-4 October 1983, the Central Fish Market began its activity in Mercabarna, following its move from Barcelona’s Calle Wellington. 25 years have passed since then and, to celebrate this milestone, Mercabarna and the Fresh and Frozen Fish and Shellfish Wholesale Consignees’ Guild of Barcelona and Province (GMP) will give a party on 19 October, to which Market business owners, buyers and employees are invited.
On 17 July, Mercabarna hosted the closing ceremony of the third edition of the postgraduate programme in Wholesale Food Business Management set up by the Mercabarna Concessionaires Association (Assocome) and the Triptolemos Foundation and supported by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).
The ‘5-a-Day’ campaign organised by Mercabarna and AGEM (Association of Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Dealers of Barcelona and Province) has concluded its ninth year of operation with a record number of participants.
Mercasa’s Distribución y Consumo magazine is celebrating the release of its 100th issue. Created in 1991, this bimonthly publication, available free of charge, has become required reading for trade and distribution professionals seeking in-depth knowledge of what is going on in the sector.
Barcelona City Council, with the joint collaboration of the Government of Catalonia, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the Network of Social Organisations for the Providing of Legal Advice Concerning the Status of Aliens, have issued an informative guide for business owners on the measures to be taken when hiring non-Spaniards.
On 3 July, Mercabarna and AGEM (Association of Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Dealers of Barcelona and Province) met with representatives of Copca and Prodeca, two organisations of the Government of Catalonia that promote foreign trade and the internationalisation of Catalan companies.
