Tetovo market: about 120 of 335 stalls empty as street sellers undercut tenants

About 120 of the 335 market stalls at Tetovos central green market are empty, while vendors selling fruit and vegetables from improvised stands on the surrounding sidewalks operate openly outside the market building.

Permanent tenants who pay rent for indoor stalls say the presence of these informal sellers has depressed sales for years and amounts to unfair competition. They call on municipal inspectors and the market administration to remove the unregulated street vendors.

Vendors complain of lost customers and competition

In short interviews at the market several long-time sellers voiced frustration. "Everyone asks to be on the main street here. We have been here for almost 40 years since this market opened; back then we paid for these stalls," one vendor said. Another added: "That should be the inspectors' job, to force them inside."

"There are surely 100 stalls empty here; they could be checked and brought in. Yes, but they don't want to — they've gotten used to being there and it's their business," a third vendor said, summing up the local sentiment.

Hazvi Rizvani, head of the Green Market, urged stronger and more persistent inspections, noting that market management has no authority outside the building. "Inspectors are on the ground, but they need to be a bit more agile. They should spend more time with them, not only in the morning and then be gone. Because they know how to go out and repeat the same act," Rizvani said.

The Municipality of Tetovo has designated a space near the Sports Centre where farmers can sell fruit and vegetables from tractors free of charge, but local producers reportedly do not use that location.

Author: Aleksandar Samardjiev

Photo: press material from the event