Merca Panama now open

As of today, Wednesday, January 2, Merca Panama began operations on vía Cincuentenario,, after the Government of Panama ordered the definitive closure of the Central Agricultural Market of Curundú.

The mayor of Panama, José Isabel Blandón, toured this morning  the facilities of Merca Panama and heard the complaints of sellers and  adjustments and re-arrangements to the premises for the sale of vegetables and fruits will be made in the coming days.

In the  new premises, cold rooms are already in operation to store the products.

Commercial activity began with low sales because few buyers knew of the change.

On Monday, December 31, the Government of Panama ordered that activities  immediately stop at the Central Agricultural Market, also known as Mercado de Abastos.

The National System of Civil Protection recommended closing the market in Curundú, since it was not able to cope with the vehicular traffic as well as the number of people who frequent the market.

A group of small merchants say that they have not been included at the Merca  Panama premises even thought they were at the old facility for more  than 25 years.  Machinery has already started tearing down the old market in Curundú.