Politician Visits Mercado dos Lavradores on to Talk With Local Sellers
On October 5, 2025, Nova Direita candidate Paulo Azevedo visited Mercado dos Lavradores in Funchal to speak with local sellers about their daily problems. The visit was shown by RTP Madeira.
I came to talk with people and hear their opinions,” he said. “We want to see if it makes sense to create a proposal so that sellers can stay here the whole week.
Paulo Azevedo , RTP Madeira
Azevedo said his goal is to make the market more attractive for residents:
so that Madeirans also come during the week, leave the big supermarkets for a while, and come here to buy local products.
Sellers at Funchal’s Mercado dos Lavradores Pay Rents as High as €5,000 a Month
One of the main topics discussed was the high rent that sellers must pay for their stalls. Azevedo said “We need to completely restructure these rents and set a maximum value, a ceiling” so that small vendors can continue to work. He said he had heard reports that some spaces cost €5000/month, which he called “not logical” and “not a business.” The candidate believes that rents should be fair and allow local farmers to earn a living.
Azevedo
“For the stalls, because it’s not acceptable to have spaces here being rented for €5,000 a month. That doesn’t make sense - that’s not a business.RTP Madeira
“Are there really spaces being rented at that price?”Azevedo
“Yes, according to the testimonies I’ve heard, yes.”
High Rents Drive Vendors to Scam Tourists at Funchal’s Market
Yes, what is happening at the Farmers Market is indeed “not a business“, to quote Azevedo. It is easy to understand that sellers who must pay such high rents are under intense pressure. You don’t make that money from selling fruits and vegetables without crossing into dark grey areas.
This helps explain why Mercado dos Lavradores - despite its strong tradition and lively atmosphere - has gained a reputation for overcharging tourists and applying illicit practices, as Madeirans across the island warn visitors to avoid buying anything there.
Helping Small Farmers and Promoting More Local Products
Azevedo said his plan also includes more support for small farmers who want to sell their own products in Funchal.
We will help small farmers because they can sell their products here
He noted that not all vegetables at the market are local because some are out of season, but many still come from Madeira. By promoting these local goods, Azevedo hopes to make the market a place where residents come not only for shopping but also to support the regional economy.
City Council “Abandoned” Mercado dos Lavradores
During the visit, Azevedo mentioned that one of the market’s elevators had been broken for two months. He used this example to say that the city council had “abandoned” the Mercado dos Lavradores.
He argued that small issues like this show poor maintenance and weak management. Azevedo said the market should be treated not just as a tourist attraction, but as an important space for local farmers and residents who depend on it every day.
Source: RTP Madeira
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