For the first time, Alimentaria 2018 will be hosting the twenty-third international conference of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), organised by Mercabarna. The conference will take place on 16-18 April 2018 as part of the Alimentaria trade show organised by Fira de Barcelona. The event guarantees the presence at the trade fair of wholesale managers and distributors from the markets of more than 30 countries.
The Councillor for Trade and Markets at Barcelona City Council and president of Mercabarna, Montserrat Ballarín, explained the objective of holding the event as part of Alimentaria: ‘During that week, Barcelona will become the world’s food capital with the participation of representatives from the entire value chain from all over the world.’ Barcelona’s candidacy to host the event, competing against Mexico D.F. and Strasbourg, benefited from the support of Barcelona City Council, the Catalan Government’s Ministry of Agriculture, and Fira de Barcelona.
According to the president of Mercabarna, ‘in winning the event there were several key factors in play: the prestige of Mercabarna among international wholesalers; the fact that the conference is taking place within such an important international trade fair as Alimentaria; and the hugely important network of retail markets (no fewer than 43) in Barcelona, which make the city a benchmark in this type of distribution.’
The event will host some 300 delegates, including representatives and employers in some of the world’s most important food markets, primarily wholesalers but also retailers from some 30 countries. Under the slogan ‘The markets of the future: responsible and efficient’, the conference will discuss the markets’ social and environmental responsibility. In this respect, topics will include food waste, markets as generators of employment, the importance of teaching children about healthy eating habits, excellence in waste management, energy efficiency and efficient mobility. The conference will also discuss markets as a cornerstone of society and the partnerships of the future between wholesale markets and retailers.
Founded in 1955, the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) is a non-profit association that aims to promote the international exchange of information on wholesale and retail markets worldwide, with a view to improving their construction, organisation and management. The WUWM is made up of over 800 wholesale and retail markets from 42 countries around the world. Its mission is to promote the essential role that retail markets play in ensuring the sustainable access, availability and distribution of a diverse variety of quality fresh food products, whilst maintaining competitive prices and the highest standards of service and food safety, throughout the international community.
