What to Buy for a Fish Market

A fish market needs more than fresh seafood and a few market stalls. You need enough chilled storage, ice, serving equipment, payment supplies and printed price information to keep products safe and sales moving. Plan your shopping around the number of suppliers, exhibitors and visitors, then check power access before choosing electric coolers or refrigerated display cases. This list covers the practical items that are easy to overlook until setup day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Market stallsqty 12
Party tentsqty 6
Foldable tablesqty 12
High tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 40
Stoolsqty 16
Checkout tablesqty 6

Tableware

Platesqty 150
Bowlsqty 100
Glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 150
Serving plattersqty 24
Cutting boardsqty 12
Fish knivesqty 12

Equipment

Refrigerated display casesqty 6
Coolersqty 8
Electric Coolersqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 3
Kettlesqty 2
Payment terminalsqty 6
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 8

Kitchen

Digital scalesqty 6
Kitchen knivesqty 12
Tweezersqty 6
Measuring cupsqty 6
Serving tongsqty 12
Ice packsqty 40

Decorations

Market flagsqty 12
Price listsqty 24
Table signsqty 12
Route arrowsqty 12
Tableclothsqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 12
LED lampsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 4
Bucketsqty 4
Handwashing stationsqty 4
Soap dispensersqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Fresh herring - 250 pieces
- Smoked mackerel - 25 kilograms
- Smoked eel - 12 kilograms
- Salmon fillet - 20 kilograms
- Battered fish - 30 kilogram
- Small fish fillets - 180 pieces
- Shrimp - 15 kilograms
- Mussels - 20 kilogram
- Calamari - 10 kilogram
- Crab sticks - 8 kilogram
- Dutch doughnuts - 150 pieces
- Potatoes - 35 kilograms
- Onions - 8 kilograms
- Lemons - 12 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 8 kilograms
- Mixed lettuce - 8 kilograms
- Sandwiches - 300 pieces
- Baguettes - 30 pieces
- Butter - 6 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 8 liters
- Garlic sauce - 6 liters
- Remoulade sauce - 6 liters
- Ravigote sauce - 5 liters
- Ketchup - 4 liters
- Mustard - 3 liters
- Dill - 1 kilogram
- Parsley - 1 kilogram
- Garlic - 2 kilograms
- Paprika powder - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 500 grams
- Salt - 2 kilograms
- Flour - 15 kilograms
- Breadcrumbs - 12 kilogram
- Frying oil - 40 liter
- Coffee - 8 packs
- Tea - 300 bags
- Sugar - 5 kilograms
- Milk - 25 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 10 bottles
- Ice tea - 10 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 30 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Orange juice - 8 liters
- Beer - 10 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 12 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 100 kilograms
- Paper napkins - 1000 pieces
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Paper fish trays - 500 pieces
- Cardboard drink cups - 500 pieces
- Coffee cups - 400 pieces
- Stir sticks - 400 pieces
- Wooden forks - 500 pieces
- Wooden skewers - 500 pieces
- Paper carrier bags - 300 pieces
- Plastic gloves - 1000 pieces
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 24 rolls
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Dish soap - 5 liters
- All-purpose cleaner - 5 liters
- Disinfectant spray - 4 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles

Tips

Arrange refrigerated display cases, coolers or electric coolers before buying fish, and collect them with the ice. Have enough chilled space for every supplier’s stock, not just the products expected to sell first.
Buy ice packs and loose ice for transport and display, with extra capacity for a warm day. Fish and shrimp should go straight into chilled storage when they arrive and remain there during the market.
Count serving items by the number of tasting or sales points: plates, bowls, glasses, cutlery, platters, cutting boards, fish knives and serving tongs. Add a spare set for each busy stall so one missing item does not stop service.
Check every stall’s power needs before purchasing or collecting coffee machines, kettles, electric coolers or payment terminals. Bring extension cords and power strips only after confirming the available outlets and safe cable routes.
Prepare printed price lists, route signs, traffic signs and market flags before shopping day. Keep the price lists dry and bring more copies than the confirmed exhibitor count, because late changes are common.

Frequently asked questions

How much ice do I need for a fish market?: Plan the ice requirement by chilled storage and weather rather than by visitor numbers alone. Arrange enough ice to keep every cooler and display case cold throughout the opening hours, plus a reserve for at least one full replenishment during the day.
What equipment is needed to display fish at a market?: Use market stalls or tables with refrigerated display cases, coolers or electric coolers, ice packs, serving platters and cutting boards. Add fish knives, serving tongs and digital scales where products are portioned or sold by weight.
How many plates and glasses should I buy for a fish market?: Count the expected number of tasting or serving points and provide one complete set per point, including plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery. Keep at least one spare set per busy point so service can continue while items are being washed or replaced.
When should I buy fish and shrimp for the market?: Do the main shopping as close to market opening as the suppliers and cold chain allow, then collect the coolers and ice before the seafood arrives. Store fish and shrimp chilled immediately and avoid leaving them at room temperature during setup.

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