THE LOOKOUT | Mercadona is increasingly investing in national products such as Riachos olive oil

Mercadona, which is building the company’s largest logistics block in Almeirim, has been investing in purchasing products from national suppliers, having reached 1,178 million euros in 2023. In the district of Santarém, where the company already has a supermarket, Mercadona collaborates, for example, with Riazor, in Riachos, Torres Novas, a specialist in the production of 100% Portuguese olive oil.

From fish purchased daily at national auctions, to 100% Portuguese olive oil, Mercadona seeks out the best specialist suppliers, from North to South to the islands, promoting exports and enabling shared and sustainable growth. The company says that since 2019, the year in which Mercadona opened its first supermarket in Portugal, the volume of purchases has grown, going from 217 million euros that year, to 1,178 million euros in 2023, a value that will increase with the opening of 11 more stores this year.

Mercadona remains faithful to its commitment to developing a Sustainable Agrifood Chain, investing in the Portuguese primary sector and developing stable, committed and long-term relationships with its suppliers, allowing sustainable growth for all links in the chain. The company buys fish daily from national auctions or Rocha do Oeste pears, among other products, promoting exports and publicizing the best that is produced in Portugal. According to the brand, this commitment has proven to be not only a driver of economic and social development, but also, and above all, a commitment to differentiation.

The director of Mercadona’s Agro-Food Chain, Pedro Barraco, says that work is being done “daily so that it is possible to find, in all sections, a varied assortment” that allows customers to take home a quality, Portuguese-style shopping cart. “This focus on national production allows for greater freshness in our products and, over these almost five years in Portugal, we have had the opportunity to work with excellent suppliers, very motivated and willing to grow with us”, he says. The company plans to end the year with 60 stores in Portugal and be present in 12 districts.