Eco-friendly shopping? Find out more about organic markets

The organic markets held in many towns along the Costa del Sol are meeting places where locals can get to know local sellers and buy high-quality produce. These are places where there’s no need to rush, and where sustainability and minimising environmental impact are the priorities – places where you can buy fresh and healthy food at a reasonable price. Discover the mercadillos ecológicos.

What are organic markets and how can you recognise them?

An organic market differs from an ordinary mercadillo in that it offers wholesome, fresh and certified artisan products. These are produced in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, whilst adhering to appropriate ethical practices – including those aimed at minimising negative environmental impact – at every stage of production. If a customer wants their family to make informed choices about products from organic farms, it is well worth visiting one of the organic markets on the Costa del Sol.

Why are organic markets so popular on the Costa del Sol?

A characteristic feature of the Spanish way of life – and in particular of those living on Spain’s southern coast – is taking it easy in the mornings and frequently going out on the town with family and friends. For this reason, the people of Andalusia have always attached great importance to the quality of the food they eat. They are keen to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meat products, cheese, olive oil and bread, directly from local producers. They often shop with trusted, friendly vendors from whom they have been buying for generations.

These products are generally fresher, due to a shorter supply chain than in a traditional supermarket. The products they sell are usually produced by them, which means that, as consumers, we have ‘first-hand’ information about their origin.

What’s more, the area where the market is held is sometimes a lovely place for a stroll or to spend time with friends. That’s why it’s worth combining a visit to such a market with another outdoor activity, just as the locals in Andalusia do.

Where on the Costa del Sol and in the surrounding area are there organic markets?

Larger organic markets usually take place once or several times a month, so it’s worth setting aside a specific date in advance so as not to miss the market day. However, it is also easy to find high-street shops that are open almost every day. The issues of the environment and sustainable development are actively discussed in the political arena in Spain, resulting in a growing number of organic markets. On this website, you can find not only locations across Spain where organic markets are held, but also various companies whose products hold international certifications attesting to their quality, ethical standards and minimal environmental impact.

Below are some of the best-known organic markets on the Costa del Sol.

• The Granja Escuela (Agricultural School) Market in Los Barrios

It is open on the second and last Sunday of every month from 11.00 to 14.00.

You’ll find food trucks, fresh organic produce, organic cheeses, hand-baked bread, natural cosmetics and even ceremonial cocoa. However, the main attraction of this market – one you simply mustn’t miss if you’re visiting with children – is a trip to the on-site petting farm. It’s the perfect way to spend an active early Sunday afternoon with your children.

Entry tickets to the farm cost 10 euros per person, and the agricultural school itself is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00. In addition, you can book accommodation surrounded by nature in one of the cottages on the premises, and the farm also offers day camps for children at a cost of 95 euros per week.

• COÍN – Organic market in the Guadalhorce Valley

The market is situated in the Agroalimentario del Guadalhorce park, near the La Trocha shopping centre and Carrefour. It is open every Sunday from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm.

It is one of the most renowned markets in Andalusia and attracts whole families with children every Sunday. Here you’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, honey, cheeses, cakes, cured meats, handicrafts and many other products – all from local producers.

• Cártama Station, known as CártamaEco

A well-known market held at Estación de Cártama in the Parque de la urbanización Los Naranjos, open on the first Sunday of the month from 10.00 to 14.30.

Most of the stalls here do not accept payment cards, so you should bring plenty of cash with you before you arrive. You’ll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread, local cheeses and dairy products, as well as handicrafts from regional producers.

• Organic market in Málaga at Parque Huelin

It’s situated right by the coast, so it’s worth popping in here straight after a morning stroll along the beach. It’s open every fourth Saturday of the month, from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm.

• Guadalhorce Ecológico in Marbella

Located on Pinar de Elviria Street, Avenida de España in Marbella, this is one of the larger organic markets. It is open on the first and third Saturdays of the month, from 10.00 to 16.00.

The market is part of a non-profit co-operative that travels around the Costa del Sol and sets up stalls in Marbella, Málaga, Mijas and La Cala de Mijas on different days each month. Here you’ll find not only organic fruit and vegetables, but also meat, cheese and eggs from organic farms. As well as food, you can also buy handcrafted products here, such as natural soaps, olive oil-based skincare products and herbal infusions.

What certificates and labels should you look out for on products?

It is important to pay attention to the labels on products on the shelves in a particular shop, and in particular to check whether they carry any certificates. Below, we present some of the most common labels and explain what they mean.

• B Corp certification – awarded to companies that meet high standards of ethics, environmental protection and social responsibility.

• EU Ecolabel / Eco-labelling certificate (EEA) – identifies products and services that have a lower negative environmental impact than others in their category. This applies, amongst other things, to cosmetics, detergents, paper and accommodation services.

• The GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certificate – this is the most important certificate in the textile market, guaranteeing that the materials from which the product is made are produced with respect for the natural environment and workers’ rights. It is a certification for textiles made from organic fibres, covering the entire production chain.

• European Organic Farming Certificate – certifies that the product in question has been produced in accordance with strict EU rules on respect for the natural environment and animal welfare, and using traditional production methods.

• The Butterfly Mark Positive Luxury certificate – awarded to luxury brands that adopt sustainable and environmentally ethical practices. The certification is intended for products in sectors including fashion, cosmetics, jewellery, hospitality and premium beverages.

• LEAF certification means that a company applies the principles of sustainable agriculture in its operations and promotes agricultural practices that are friendly to the environment and biodiversity.