Centro de acopio/abastos

[poli]

Do they both refer to warehouses or markets?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Oh no, they're rather opposites.

"Centro de acopio" is a place that collects materials or goods for a specific purpose.
For example, a "centro de acopio de PET" is a place where you can take your empty PET bottles so they will be recycled.
A "centro de acopio para damnificados" is a place where people take non-perishable food and other goods that will be useful for people who have been hit by a disaster and are living in a shelter.
In the first case, you may or not get paid for the bottles; in the other case you're donating the goods so the people in the "centro de acopio" will deliver them to those in need.

A "centro/central de abastos" is a market where wholesalers sell fresh products. This is where most restaurants and retailers buy, but there are also a few individual consumers who prefer to buy there because it's cheaper.


A "central de abastos" is definitely a market; it's full of warehouses, but those goods stored in them will all be sold.
A "centro de acopio" may or may not be a warehouse. Some recycling centers are warehouses, but many are just a bunch of containers or a bit tent in a parking lot. A "centro de acopio para damnificados" are usually temporary locations where you can take the donations, normally in public buildings or malls, as they are set just for the emergency situation.

[poli]

Thanks very much for your help. A centro de acopios is a collection site in USA.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Thank you for the translation, I didn't know that. :)