The Fair “Market of Markets” (Mercat de Mercats in its original name) has celebrated its second Edition the last 21 to 23rd October in Barcelona. The Fair, that was an initiative born in the frame of the MED EMPORION project, has decided its reediting after the great success it had in terms of enthusiasm showed by participants and visitors.

Now, the second edition figures show a 30% increase in number of visitors, business generated (increase in 20% of sales) and even a bigger media impact, thus consolidating the Fair as a unique gastronomic date in the city.
 

Quoting the City Major, Xavier Trias, the Fair Mercat de Mercats "is already consolidated and will for sure continue to grow". The figures are uncontroversial and confirm this extent: the 20.000 sq feet of the Fair received more than 230.000 visitors, (compared with the 180.000 of the first edition), 200.000 direct purchases (150.000 in the first) and 48.000 tickets of "tapas" and drink served (40.000 in the first). Not only the city central location where it takes place explain such a success: the very concept of the Fair, presented like a Mediterranean fresh products and Gastronomic citizens Festival, with the participation of around 5.000 retailers and producers, the 50 conferences, workshops and round tables of the "Gatronomic and Summiliers stands for life shows, all this with the assistance of 130 organization staff.

The Fair concentrated a very assorted selection of the best market stalls of Barcelona selling fresh products, producers of certified Catalan products (Protected Denomination of Origin and Protected Geographic Indication), the city's most characteristic bars and restaurants, offering fresh produce of the markets, the most representative cellars from different wineries and Cava companies of Catalonia together with the world-recognized Barcelona chefs which offered gastronomic presentations, teaching how to cook typical Mediterranean dishes.

One of the most significant characteristics of the Fair was that it was largely financed by sponsors like Moritz (a Barcelona's brewery), the Costa Brava Tourism Consortium, CRDO Ribeiro and a long etcetera of private companies. Public Institutions like the Department of Agriculture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, through PRODECA, the Consorci de Comerç Artesania I Moda (CCAM) and the Diputació de Barcelona were also promoters of the event.

The final evaluation by the City Council officials and participants was excellent and where verified some improvements, like a better access and people flow through the corridors. All the participants and promoters enthusiastically accorded to celebrate a third edition the next year.