After a year marked by the vicissitudes and problems generated by the pandemic, Mercamadrid is continuing its transformation agenda as well as increasing its marketing volume
The start of the transformation agenda initiated with Mercamadrid’s new 2020-22 Strategic Plan has completely overlapped with the management of the pandemic. However, this has not prevented some processes from beginning to see the light, such as the deployment of a mainline fibre network and 5G connectivity that will allow the application of Big Data and AI, the extension of recharging points for electric vehicles, the energy improvement of the lighting or the new spaces for the prescription of healthy eating habits.
An agenda that responds to the needs of its groups of interest with an investment of 2.5 million euros.
And, in spite of the current difficult moments being experienced by the food unit, Mercamadrid has seen a global growth in the marketing of foodstuffs, with 3.1 million tonnes of food (3.6% more than in 2019). A growth that has been achieved due to an added effort by the companies, given that we saw an important peak in demand during the toughest days of the lockdown, when there was a sudden transformation in the demand, which moved from the catering and Horeca chain, to consumption in the households.
1.5 M€ to fight the pandemic
Disinfection, safety and protection of companies and personnel has meant an extraordinary expenditure of 1.5M €. From the first days of the pandemic, Mercamadrid shielded itself to guarantee its activity, increasing the security staff by 100%, as well as the cleaning and disinfection personnel, reaching 19,272 hours of effective work against Covid. Over 100,000 face masks were handed out during the first weeks amongst the users of Mercamadrid, as well as gloves or gels, aiding the self-protection of all the people who visited the market on a daily basis. They also installed 57 hand sanitizer gel dispensers.
At the present time, they continue disinfecting all the premises every day.
Mercamadrid was a pioneer in starting up the first Covid-19 testing centre in the Plan Sumamos, making it possible for free antigen tests to be carried out.
A food hub for the needy
The delegation from the Madrid Food Bank at Mercamadrid had to strengthen its operation in order to manage around 3 million kilos of fresh food (+60%) donated by the companies, as a great example of solidarity. Furthermore, Cruz Roja installed its logistics base in the Ahorramas space, to attend to the daily needs of thousands of families. All of this, without forgetting the personal dedication by many cooks and chefs who, as their establishments were closed, started to cook at Mercamadrid Lab for transporters and vulnerable families.
