Mercabarna's fresh food wholesalers are optimistic about sales this Christmas, despite the uncertainties surrounding how the holiday celebrations may unfold in the restaurant sector. They believe that, whether in restaurants or at home, meals can be enjoyed without a significant price increase because "wholesalers are not passing on the increases in energy costs or production (also due to storms) or transport in the selling price of fresh produce," according to the vice-president of the Association of Wholesalers of Mercabarna (Assocome), Jaume Flores.
Thus, forecasts point to an average price increase of between 11% and 13% for all products, meaning the shopping basket will cost the same as in 2019, the year before the pandemic. Overall, wholesalers expect to distribute some 106,500 tons of fresh produce in December, with price containment. This translates into 6,500 tons (50% of all that is consumed in Catalonia) coming from the Fish Market ---13% more than in December 2020--- and some 100,000 tons of fruits and vegetables ---11% more than last year---. 18,000 units of poultry (about 120 tons of product) will be distributed, representing a 20% increase in sales compared to 2020.
Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, fresh produce sales in Mercabarna totaled 96,000 tons, and in 2019 they exceeded 100,000 tons.
Regarding prices, fish and seafood will see increases between 3% and 18%, while fruits and vegetables will increase by 3.4% and poultry by around 5%.
Exceptionally, there are products that will become more expensive, such as grapes, which will be between 20% and 30% more expensive because in the south of France and Italy, exporting countries, the weather has reduced this year's harvest by 50%. Canadian lobster will also cost more due to pressure from the Asian market, which has become a major buyer of this product in the last year.
Wholesalers remind consumers that the best thing for these Christmas holidays is to go shopping at markets "without a preconceived idea," because it is the way to adjust the shopping basket: find the best price-quality ratio in all seasonal and local products. A proposal that, as every year, they have conveyed to chef Carme Ruscalleda, who has created a Christmas recipe book with dishes made with seasonal and local products as protagonists of Christmas tables, "without spending too much," Ruscalleda insisted.
The president of the Guild of Fish Wholesalers (GMP), Ángel Máñez, insisted that the context is not easy, that there is still much uncertainty about the evolution of the pandemic in the coming weeks and how this may affect celebrations, especially those planned in restaurants. However, wholesalers believe that, if the number of cancellations in restaurants is finally high, families will move meals home and fresh product sales levels will also be maintained.