FAO and wholesale food markets reaffirm their commitment to promote modern and transparent supply centers for sustainable development

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Latin American Federation of Supply Markets (FLAMA) held the Regional Meeting of Wholesale Food Markets in Latin America and the Caribbean on September 3 and 4 in Santiago, Chile. 

More than 40 representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay met at the headquarters of the FAO Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, where they promoted a dialogue based on the experiences of the region's wholesale food markets and discussed strategies for modernization and efficiency, as well as the importance of circularity in sustainable development.

FAO Environment Officer Hivy Ortiz, FAO Chile Representative Eve Crowley, and Chile's Undersecretary of Agriculture, Ignacia Fernández, also participated in the opening session.

The specialists also reinforced knowledge on measures to deal with climate emergencies and their impact on food supply and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in promoting food security and access to food.

"There are challenges for wholesale markets and Ministries of Agriculture to promote behaviors and technological adoption processes that contribute to more transparent markets. We must also move towards more durable relationships between producers and wholesale markets. Finally, the safety and health of food traded in markets is a challenge that is constantly being renewed and requires constant attention," said Ignacia Fernández, Chile's Undersecretary of Agriculture.

"Wholesale food markets are essential for a sustainable and resilient agri-food system, contributing to food security and improving the nutrition of the population. These markets play a strategic role in setting quality and price standards and in promoting the supply of fresh products, being key economic and social actors in the region", detailed Hivy Ortiz, Environmental Officer FAO."

New FAO-FLAMA roadmap

The event defined new lines of cooperation between FAO and FLAMA for the period 2024-2029, with the goal of strengthening wholesale markets' role in the food supply of cities, ensuring the supply for consumers, social enterprises, and businesses, and supporting rural and urban development.

During the event, Eder Eduardo Bublitz, president director of the Supply Centers of Paraná and president of the Brazilian Association of Supply Centers (ABRACEN), was appointed as the new president of FLAMA.

"FLAMA represents about 280 wholesale markets in Latin America. We work to ensure food security in urban centers. Together, we can make a difference in consumption, people's health, and children's lives. We have to change how we feed ourselves", Eder Eduardo Bublitz, president of FLAMA.

Visit to Lo Valledor Wholesale Market

The delegation visited the Chilean wholesale market Lo Valledor, to learn about the food bank's experience and the supply center's operation and innovations.

"In Latin America and the Caribbean, there are approximately 320 wholesale markets of different sizes and forms of organization. These are key to support the design and implementation of public policies aimed at improving our agrifood systems and the quality of life of the people," concluded Eve Crowley, FAO Representative in Chile.