“this is very sad, It looked like our house. “ Jose Luis said indignantly, which everyone Liners Farm Market Known as the “Basque”. It is the president of the traditional treasury recipient who bears his surname: Casa Usandizaga. Starting as a pig salesman in 1958, today his company last operated as the largest livestock marketing center in Argentina. A law prohibiting the entry of live cattle into the city of Buenos Aires, except for exhibitions and certain activities.

The day started at about 8pm when the auctioneer started the last series of the auction. Members, growers, butchers, customers and friends from different regions of the country gathered on the characteristic trails, corals and cement and wood sheds that will finally bid farewell to this 33-hectare complex. From next week, the entire activity of the consignee will be fully transferred to the New Agrarian Market (MAG), Route 6, in the Canoela district of Buenos Aires, which covers 110 hectares and has a capacity of 12,000 total livestock. Daily beef.

“We miss getting up at 5 in the morning, traveling from the city center to Matadero, meeting each booth leader and staff, the time to have a few like-minded people and to have the peace of mind we always had. All the finished work and friendships we achieve for our services, both to employees and to property recipients and buyers. That’s something that will never be forgotten. ” Said Oscar Subaroka, who will go down in history as the last president of the Liniers Treasury Market. In addition, he stressed that “although it was a difficult period recently, everything was cleaned up.”

Although the tasks of slaughtering animals, butchers, and the related industry were already informally part of the territory, the liner market officially opened on May 1, 1901. Since then, horse-drawn carriages, the cries of cows and the smell of coral have shaped the landscape of the district. Considering its advanced facilities (55,000 square meters of concrete flooring for the farm, four acres of steel roof for 450 sales pens and 2,750 meters of airways), It was compared to the major Hacienda markets of the time. For example, the famous Chicago market in the United States, which is why the market area was also called “New Chicago”.

The popularity of this place spread all over the world, which made it a tourist attraction. On the weekends, the community was served in search of Argentine traditions and roots, races were held, parades were held, and Gaucho clothing and typical food were sold. “It’s part of history. Tourists from all over the world came here to meet him. Some arrived in Argentina exclusively to explore the liner market. Recalled Uzandizaga.

დასაწყისიThe beginning of the end

However, over time, consistent economic ups and downs and rural modernization have taken their toll on property. Gustavo Servin, which has been on the market since 1959 “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said. And shared the last barbecue with bosses, leaders and workers at other famous homes such as Sáenz Valiente, Bullrich & Cía., He recalled that “Between the fifties and the eighties, 20,000 and 25,000 chapters were introduced. One day it was a record 36,000. Today, on the contrary, it does not reach 10,000, because direct sales are many. The manufacturer sells the refrigerator without going through the market. “

Although it is only now over, the Liniers Hacienda market began to end in 2006, with Law 622 of the city of Buenos Aires prohibiting the entry of live cattle into its territory. There have been 17 relocations since then. For Uzandizaga, this step means the end of the old school. “We will have to get used to it, but it is a shame to lose it,” he said.

That said, although Caniuela owns 110 acres (compared to the current 33) and a capacity of 12,000 in total livestock. “About 30% is still missing. There are loaders who do not have pens yet, there are no stables, we do not have parking, the leaders have to walk 600 meters. “Working people are not happy.”

Subaroka, on the other hand, expressed a more optimistic view of Caniuelas, a space on which new opportunities for activity are projected. “It was a very emotional day for us, where the feeling overcomes all the reasons. I have been traveling in this market for 45 years. We had a wonderful time, but also a hard time when refrigerators could not afford farms and we had to answer to sellers. We are confident that Caniuelas’ new complex and all the new opportunities it will give us, but our spirit will continue forever in the liner market here. ”

Traders are afraid

until, There are traders and neighbors who agree that the completion of the Hacienda de Liniers Market will have negative consequences. Especially those located in front of the complex, on Lisandro de la Torre.

Since the closure became possible, many feared it would lead to usurpation and insecurity of the movement, even though the government of the city of Buenos Aires plans to build a new green and recreational space in its place. .

“We do not know what will happen next Monday. “Will they increase security or abandon it?” Jorge Echegoyen, a few meters from the main entrance to the grill, lamented that he believed this would have an economic impact: “Market workers ordered or came to eat at our restaurant, as well as tourists or taxi drivers. We are losing many years of customers.