Palma has the most important farmers' and organic market in Spain: "We have products cheaper than supermarkets"

PalmThe Palma Organic Market is the only 100% organic farmers' market in the Balearic Islands. In fact, according to the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture (SEAE), this market is the most important in the entire country in terms of the number of stalls and its frequency. The project, which began fifteen years ago and can be visited every Tuesday and Saturday in Plaça Patins in Palma, is experiencing a period of growth while maintaining its essence: a loyal clientele, exclusively local and organic producers and products, and a relationship between buyers and sellers more akin to that of friends or family than to that of business transactions. "It's an example of how a market can thrive in a city while also protecting local and organic products," remarked Marialaura Dolfi of Apaema.

This market is now 15 years old, a project that Apaema admits they didn't expect "to last so long, and which continues thanks to the volunteers, associations, and people from the countryside." Both Maria Antònia Bonnin and Andreu Salinas, two producers and vendors at this market, agree that the main keys to its success are "the quality of the product and the close relationship between producers and consumers." "If it weren't for the direct contact with customers, I would have given it up a long time ago. The relationship with many customers is almost like family; we know when we're celebrating our birthdays, what's going on with them without hardly having to talk... It's very moving," remarks Bonnin, who runs the Marjal Son Forners stall.

For his part, Salinas says that for him it is "a pleasure" to participate in the market and a "source of pride" that week after week "customers show so much interest in the products, in how we grow them, in our work. Many thank us for the pleasure they've had eating them." "I hope I can be at the market until I retire," he concluded.

Is organic product really more expensive?

One of the major misconceptions that has historically accompanied (with a negative connotation) organic products is that they are very expensive. Both Apaema and the producers categorically deny this claim: "We have products much cheaper than supermarketsSalinas asserts that what makes organic products more expensive is the intervention of intermediaries, since "if you buy directly from the producer it is not expensive, it is cheaper than in most stores and it is of higher quality."

In this regard, Dolfi also emphasizes the importance of buying products directly from producers and points out that, while some products may be more expensive, it's "because they offer something extra, they have more nutrients, they're free of chemicals and processed ingredients; really, if you pay that extra, you're paying extra for your health." Bonnin, for his part, reminds us that "organic food isn't just about products that haven't been contaminated, but it provides many more nutrients in the long run, and that's health."

However, both producers and Apaema reaffirm that this preconceived notion obscures the reality of organic and local products, while simultaneously giving them a label that alienates a certain audience, while, in reality, neither the quality of the food nor the benefits it provides are truly valued, and "in many cases, this is done."

Loyal clientele and the importance of the foreign public

The vast majority of customers at the Palma Organic Market come week after week. "We know each other, we know what they want, our customers never disappoint," the vendors proudly affirm. In this regard, they celebrate that "more and more young people are coming." "It's a segment of our clientele that we had lost and that we're now recovering. It's gained a lot of momentum in recent years," Salinas points out. Apaema confirms that in recent years there has been a boom in people (mainly between 30 and 40 years old) who have rediscovered their passion for organic and local products. "They not only consume and are interested in learning about the entire process, but they are also a great tool for recovering the value of quality products, made here and without chemicals," they emphasize. Everyone also agrees that foreigners (especially those from Northern Europe) are an important part of their clientele: "They have a greater appreciation for local products, they value them highly," Dolfi explains. Bonnin, for his part, celebrates that foreigners "are more aware of the importance and value of local and organic products."

The current lifestyle, an enemy of organic and local products

Currently, according to their priorities, people seek convenience, speed, and minimizing the time they dedicate to "obligations" in order to have more free time. "This new way of understanding life works against us. People want to shop quickly, cook fast food, and then go to the gym, grab a coffee, or relax on the sofa. Our products go in the opposite direction: quality over convenience and value over speed," says Bonnin.

In this sense, Salinas laments that "nowadays, people no longer value food; they value saving time more. They prefer to go to large supermarkets and have everything at hand, even though they know the food is worse." "It's ironic that some people use their free time to go to the gym to compensate for their diet (which is full of ultra-processed foods and chemicals) when they have access to quality, healthy products that would prevent precisely what they want to counteract when they exercise," he says.

On the other hand, another factor negatively impacting local and organic producers is the loss of social awareness regarding seasonal products. "People want to eat watermelon in January and pumpkins in summer, and it's not their season. Seasonality is no longer respected, and large supermarkets offer these products year-round, regardless of their quality," explains Salinas. "We must re-educate society because seasonal products are also cheaper and better," argues Marialaura Dolfi. However, both Apaema and Los Placeres maintain that "if you buy local, seasonal produce, it will be cheaper than in supermarkets, of higher quality, and healthier."

Present and future of the Palma Organic Market

The Palma Organic Market is currently thriving and its continuation seems assured for many more years. Although the vendors acknowledge that "things could always be better," they say they are very happy with how everything is running. In fact, Salinas emphasizes that what they need is not just more customers, but above all, more producers. "In terms of customer numbers, you can always improve; we must be aware that we can't reach everyone, but I think what we need most are more producers who join this project and bring organic and local products directly to customers. With more producers and a greater variety of products, we would improve in every way: quality, clientele, variety, richness, and the appreciation of organic and local products..."

For her part, Bonnin suggests the possibility of including activities that promote local and organic products, as well as workshops or initiatives that help citizens learn about the benefits of these products and their uses. "We could explain how to make a chair with a buckle or share recipes using vegetables sold at the stalls," she argues. Everyone agrees that the market's growth potential is "enormous," but it shouldn't be rushed or rushed. "We must grow gradually, remembering who we are and maintaining our essence, and above all, ensuring that everything involved in this project remains eco-local."