There are mixed opinions and, in general, low expectations regarding the Christmas season that is now beginning. The vendors of the Mercat Nou de Ibiza wait for the increase in purchases in view of the family Christmas banquets for the holidays, and in this regard the joy is divided by sections: while in the fish and seafood stalls that were consulted the mood is pessimistic, the atmosphere in the meat and sausage stalls is completely different.

Las Compradoras Esperan Su Turno Frente A La Carnicería Hermanos Pérez.

Shoppers wait their turn in front of Carnicería Hermanos Pérez at Mercat Nou. D.V.

“At the moment, we are receiving few orders, we have only been asked for prawns and crayfish to freeze before Christmas,” admits Mar Rodríguez, a worker at Pescados Valentina, “there is a lot of uncertainty. Rosa Abella, a worker at Pescados María Rosa, agrees: “We have been asked about lobster, but there is little movement”.

A sluggish Christmas at Mercat Nou

“We guess that next week it will pick up. We’ve had a few orders but so far not much,” says Valeriano Iglesias, from the Pescados y Mariscos Oliver stand, who has a bad feeling: “Last year, as covid was still fresh, people stayed at home and bought more from us. I think this year everyone who is from outside is going to leave, and whoever can will go to a restaurant.”

“Everyone I know is going away during the holidays,” agrees Mar Rodríguez, “I think it will be quite dull. “People feel like traveling. Here everything is more expensive, there is not much money either, many places are closed…”, Rosa Abella tries to find an explanation for her bad omens, but pessimism seems to have spread like a disease throughout this area of the Mercat Nou: “I hope I am wrong, but I do not think it will be the best year“.

Regarding the price of food, some typical items for these dates have already begun to rise, explains Maria Marí, owner of Pescados y Mariscos Oliver, who points out that monkfish can rise up to 50%: “Sea bream also rises, but there are only three or four very specific products. The rest are more or less the same price”.

Mar Rodríguez Atiende A Una Clienta.

Mar Rodríguez serves a customer. D.V.