Großmarkt Köln closes: What comes after the last debate?

Großmarkt Köln closes: What comes after the last debate?

Raderthal, Deutschland - The Cologne wholesale market in Raderthal is in front of its last curtain. As of December 31, 2025, the traditional location will close, which brings with it a wave of changes. This decision was made on October 1, 2024 in a council meeting and marks the end of an era that has extended for many years. The wholesale market always played a central role in the city's food supply, was a starting point for traders who moved into fresh products, and ensured that Cologne households were always well looked after. But as is so often the case in life, times and with them also change the requirements for the food trade. According to stadt-koeln.de, more efficient logistics systems have meant that retailers are more likely to enter into supplier or specialized wholesale, which makes the traditional business model of the wholesale market.

But the closure is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. The location will be transformed into "Parkstadt Süd", an ambitious project that is supposed to offer new residential, office and commercial space as well as cultural and social institutions. Several thousand new apartments will be created here and should shape the cityscape sustainably. This goes hand in hand with the general trend of urban change, which can be observed in many metropolises.

How will the food supply develop?

Consumer prices for food have also increased, especially for staple foods such as bread and dairy products. It remains to be seen whether the closure of the large market really has a negative impact on the supply or whether new trading models can take over. It could well be that innovative concepts in e-commerce, which already records sales of around 11.3 billion euros, will play a role. The comfortable delivery home has become increasingly attractive for many consumers and thus offers an answer to short time and hectic everyday processes.