Federación Latinoamericana de Mercados de Abastecimiento (FLAMA)

During the year 2022, the activities carried out within the scope of the MoU FAO-Flama presented very significant results. A wide-ranging survey was carried out on the economic and social impact of wholesale food markets (WFM) in the region involving 107 markets in the Region. This unprecedented result in global terms was the result of extensive coordination between the FAO national representations and the mobilization of FLAMA.  

This research resulted in the publication of the FAO-Flama Bulletin n.8 about economic and social impact, published globally in English and Spanish. 

Following the strategy of preparing technical material to support urban food systems, two technical notes were prepared and disseminated globally that address the increase in food prices and the actions taken by WFM and the importance of wholesale Food markets to promote the SDGs. 

Following the MoU work plan, support activities for countries in the Region constituted an important axis of actions in 2022, with initiatives developed in Mexico on the subject of circular economy, in Colombia and Argentina on the subject of strengthening national networks of wholesale food markets, in Peru for actions to prevent the contagion of Covid-19, in Paraguay for the theme of digitalization of food commerce and in Uruguay with the carrying out of an in-depth diagnostic study on the operations of the new and modern national wholesale food market. 

The organization methodology of the MoU is based on holding communities of practice (CoP), virtual meetings that approve and accompany the work plan. In 2022, two CoPs were held with the participation of 153 representatives of wholesale markets and regional technicians from 17 countries in the region. 

The work plan approved for the year 2023 is based on the main lines of cooperation: 

1: Innovation, digitization, inclusion, and improvement in the management of wholesale food markets in the Region 

2: Coordination and integration of wholesale food markets and supply centers with research and teaching institutions and economic and social agents that contribute to the promotion of coordinated and inclusive agro-food systems. 

3: Development of national agendas to standardize, stimulate and support the economic and social activities of wholesale food markets in national agrifood systems 

You can read the publications made in 2022 here: 

Bulletin 8. The social and economic effects of wholesale markets on urban food systems.  

Available in  English/Spanish .  

https://doi.org/10.4060/cb9941es 

https://doi.org/10.4060/cb9941en 

Previous progress made on these objectives includes:

• Joint strategy to monitor and advertise the activities of regional wholesale markets and supply centers during this period of crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic developed in 2020
• A community of practice was formed at the regional level to promote dialogue and exchange of experiences and good practices, convening participants from 15 countries in the region and more than 40 wholesale markets.
• FAO and FLAMA have jointly published  since 2020 a series of bulletins on "Wholesale markets: Action against COVID-19" providing policy and practical recommendations and guidance for actions targeting wholesale market actors facing COVID-19
• Joint publication on the situation of the wholesale markets in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Promotion of strategies which aim to improve operational management (including increased efficiency in management of water, waste and electricity) and greater inclusion of family farmers
• In 2021, a circular economy survey was developed with the participation of 12 wholesale markets from eight countries, to identify sustainable solutions to the management of food waste.