Centro de acopio/abastos

Centro de acopio/abastos
 

Do they both refer to warehouses or markets?

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.

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

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