We are pleased to announce that the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) will hold it’s Annual Conference 2023 in the Moon Palace Hotel – the Grand of Cancun, Mexico, from October 25th to 27th. Our Mexican delegation and Latam Regional Group will host the conference, chaired by Mr Arturo Salvador Fernández Martinez.

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The German Association of Wholesale Markets (GFI) recently completed their annual study trip to Paris, the latest destination following previous trips to London, Madrid, Athens, Lisbon, and Bologna. The largest GFI delegation to date, consisting of 30 managers of wholesale and weekly markets, including the WUWM board member Eliane Steinmeyer, participated in the four-day study tour. The trip aimed to exchange experiences and gain insights into sustainable market concepts. It was supported by Jean-Paul Auguste, WUWM board member and President of the Groupe Géraud, by Valérie Vion, Agricultural and Internation Advisor of Rungis’ Chairman, and by the Policy Advisor of the World Union of Wholesale Markets.   

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Given its considerable recognition, most of our readers are acquainted with the Love Your Local Market (LYLM) campaign. Still, for those unfamiliar with it, LYLM is an annual international campaign promoting the value and importance of local fresh food street markets. As part of the campaign, markets worldwide come together to raise awareness of the benefits of fresh and healthy diets and encourage people to shop at their local markets. LYLM has become a key event in the wholesale markets calendar, with many markets actively participating in the campaign.  

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During his visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from March 16th to 19th, Mr Raul Giboudot, Vice President of FLAMA and board member of WUWM, aimed to promote positive actions to enhance the growing commercial approach between Latin American countries, particularly Brazil and Argentina. This approach is stimulated, in part, by the work of the Latin American Federation of Wholesale Markets (FLAMA), which encourages commercial cooperation between countries in the region, the exchange of products and services, and the creation of partnerships between businesses from different countries.   

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WUWM is thrilled to announce the successful meeting between Mr Marius-Calin Sabo, General Manager of Agro Transilvania, and representatives from Mercado Abastecedor da Região De Lisboa, one of our two members from Portugal. We encourage these opportunities as an organization that promotes exchanging information and best practices. We are confident that both markets will benefit greatly from this visit.  

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We are excited to share the recent visit of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) Secretariat to the captivating Mabru, the Wholesale Market of Brussels, with the WUWM board member, Mr Laurent Nys. This visit was an opportunity to experience the bustling atmosphere and diverse offerings of Mabru and to extend a warm welcome to our new member, Northern Farmers from India.  

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We are delighted to share some fantastic news and an excellent example of best practices in the food industry. On April 4, 2023, the International Market of Rungis inaugurated its groundbreaking electromechanical composter—a remarkable milestone in the network of French MINs (Marché d’Intérêt National). This achievement results from a unique collaboration between the National Association for the Development of Solidarity Grocery Stores, start-up Upcycle, and the Rungis Market. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of these three entities, a new waste recovery channel has been established at Rungis. The composter, entirely made in France, transforms all food waste into fresh compost within 15 days. The resulting compost meets the NFU-44 051 standard, making it highly valuable for organic agriculture.   

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Mercabarna and the Gremio de Mayoristas del Pescado (GMP) participated in the Seafood Expo Global, the world’s largest seafood fair, in Barcelona from April 25 to 27. The event brought together different actors from the commercial fishing industry across five continents, and the GMP celebrated the consolidation of the event in Barcelona. The GMP and Mercabarna had a joint stand, and 16 companies from the food polygon also had their stands at the fair.  

This year, there was a growing presence of companies from Mercabarna showcasing their latest seafood products, such as certified sustainable fishing products, Japanese ultra-frozen red tuna, and easy-to-cook fish that kids love. Among the highlights was the presentation of ultra-frozen red tuna at -70°C, preserved at -60°C following Japanese techniques, ensuring the highest product quality demanded by top restaurants.  

 

In addition, new lines of ready-to-cook fish products were presented, catering to all tastes, including innovative fish burgers that were perfect for children. These companies also featured seafood products with strict certifications guaranteeing their origin from sustainable fishing and resource management. The fair also showcased more sustainable and recyclable packaging for seafood products.  

 

Moreover, newly manufactured cephalopod products, such as cuttlefish, squid, and octopus, were presented, catering to the food service and distribution channels locally and internationally. These products were increasingly in demand in the restaurant industry and among customers.  

 

Mercabarna’s fishing sector comprises 38 companies and 80 wholesale points of sale at the Mercado Central del Pescado and 12 firms in the Zona de Actividades Complementarias de Mercabarna, distributing 210,000 tons of seafood annually. Mercabarna is the leading import/export platform for European seafood products. It accounts for 40% of the fresh seafood consumed in Catalonia.  

 

In summary, the participation of Mercabarna and the GMP in the Seafood Expo Global demonstrated their commitment to showcasing the latest seafood innovations and sustainable practices to the world. The fair provided an excellent opportunity to connect with new suppliers and potential customers across continents. It opened up new markets for the fishing industry.  

 

WUWM welcomes the adoption of best practices and initiatives that promote sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility in the wholesale market industry. We are proud that our members are at the forefront of innovative and relevant events in the fresh produce industry to foster the best practices and initiatives which are essential in ensuring that wholesale markets remain relevant, competitive, and resilient in the face of the growing demands of modern consumers and the challenges posed by climate change.  

 

WUWM recognizes that sustainability, sustainable consumption, and social responsibility are cross-cutting issues affecting all wholesale market industry aspects. By promoting best practices in areas such as waste management, energy efficiency, and fair labour practices, wholesale markets can reduce their environmental footprint and improve the well-being of their employees and surrounding communities. Similarly, initiatives supporting innovation and adopting new technologies can help wholesale markets remain competitive and respond to changing consumer preferences. WUWM is signalling its commitment to promoting sustainable and socially responsible practices across the global wholesale market industry by welcoming these best practices and initiatives.