Oschatzer Wochenmarkt in need: Where are the visitors?

Oschatzer Wochenmarkt in need: Where are the visitors?

Oschatz, Deutschland - The weekly market on the Oschatzer Altmarkt has to fight with challenges again. Numerous people flock to the market every Tuesday and Friday, but the number of providers and visitors has dropped sharply in recent years. According to LVZ are only a few committed traders on site, to offer their customers quality and regionality. All the more, Petra Däberitz, who has been selling fresh fruit and vegetables from its own cultivation since 2005, feels the decline in market visitors. She suspects that the Corona period had a big influence on it.

The signs of the decline are clear: Frank Lux, on the market for 35 years, has reduced its presence to every two weeks. It is a similar story for prices: a kilo of potatoes currently costs around two euros on the market, while in the supermarket you pay between 1.29 and 1.69 euros. The office had taken a close look at the prices for fruit and vegetables, and the results are not exactly encouraging. For carrots you pay around two euros per kilo on the weekly market, but between 99 cents and 1.49 euros in retail.

The market in change

Nevertheless, there are bright spots: Many customers appreciate the freshness and regional origin of the products. This aspect is underlined by Marktstories that highlight the advantages of the weekly market. Here, purchasing is not only stress -free and personal, but also contributes to strengthening the local economy. The products are often harvested in the morning and are on offer shortly afterwards. In this way, the dealers can advise themselves about the special wishes of their customers, which can lead to less plastic waste, since you can choose the packaging yourself.

Despite the associated challenges, the importance of local markets remains high. Experts emphasize the role of these markets in terms of nutritional security. A webinar, which was organized by Swissaid , highlights the key role of the local providers. They are often in competition with large food giants who press prices through cheap imports. The questions of how to support smaller producers without asking them in the shadows of the large companies are currently more important than ever.

The future of the Oschatz weekly market

In order to regain diversity and number of visitors, new dealers and a fresh wind are in demand. Hans-Jürgen Körner, who has been offering sausage products for two and a half years and also sells his own products, is already missing the diversity and especially a baker on the market. It remains to be seen whether and how the Oschatzer weekly market can find their way back to old strength. But one thing is clear: the regular customer has a good knack for fresh and regional products and shows that the market can continue to exist in the future if you enter it.

To support the market, consumers are required to rely more on local retailers and to appreciate their products. After all, the weekly market lives from the community and the freshness that is difficult to find elsewhere.