Barcelona to remodernise central fish market

06 Aug, 2013

Barcelona and its fish wholesalers have come to an agreement to renovate the city's seafood market. The project will bring the Mercat Central del Peix in line with Spanish and EU health and environmental regulations, including those on rubbish disposal and waste-water treatment.

The roof, ceiling and floor will be renewed as well as the lighting and the display areas. The wholesalers will pay the €9 million cost and in return they will have their licences and concessions renewed for another 18 years.

52 wholesalers work in the market which sells about 80,000 tons of fresh and frozen fish a year, about 60 per cent of which is caught in Spanish waters, with the rest coming from abroad.

Some 2,500 people visit the market on busy days. Work will begin this year and be carried out in phases so as not to upset regular trading. The remodernisation should be completed by 2023.