Caracterización de las ferias libres como canal de comercialización en la Región Metropolitana de Chile

A study destined to characterize the fresh markets channel for vegetable products distribution in the metropolitan area of Chile was carried out. The places where the exhibitors get the fruits and vegetables were identified; the supply forms by type of supplier of the exhibitors were studied, specifically purchasing prices, types of payment and frequency of supply for fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, a comparison of prices at a retailer level in fruits, vegetables and potatoes was done. According to the above mentioned, the total of fresh markets and its places of the Metropolitan Region was surveyed. Main results show the fresh markets as a relevant agent in the supplying of the population and the commercialization for the rural production, where food products considered healthy and bought in a high percentage to small producers are sold. A difference between selling prices in fresh markets and supermarkets in the topics studied was found.