History

The first kind of market trading in this area appeared in the 16th century. The cattle fair was held around the Castle. In the beginning the fair was held once a year and if famous in region. Later it was held twice a year, once a month and in the end once a week. Today Tuesday is the market day in Banja Luka.

Trade of fruit, vegetables and other agricultural products was held in left side of the Crkvena River, where the special place for that purpose was set up in 1929. The close object of the City market was built in 1935 and it is in the same place ever since.

So called Covered street was created near the Crkvena River, there were great number of craft shops and taverns. The whole place was one big complex where the citizens of Banja Luka satisfied their needs for different products and services.

After the World War Two there was the change of the system. The market management was formed as a part of Municipality of Banja Luka.The market function continued to develop itself and the object of the City market was reconstructed. The cattle market was dislocated three kilometers from the city center. In that time it was very modern and well equipped object called The New market and it has the same name ever since. In the beginning in the new market there were only the cattle market and the market of agricultural products. Today at this market people trade with cars, cattle, close, second-hand goods, agricultural products. Having in mind the importance of the market function the authorities have organized communal enterprise in 1964.

The period from 1964 to 1974 is the period of reconstruction and modernizing of the market. The market expands in the Municipality of Kotor Varos.

In 1974 the market had started to develop its own chain of stores and its function of the communal enterprise stopped. Since then the market started to fall behind.

In 1992 there was the civil war in BiH and all normal activities were stopped and in all companies special management was introduced. The market has been organized according to new assignments. The market capacities were expanded in order to provide bigger number of stalls for people who lost their jobs.

The market in time lost certain number of its personnel, who went to the war. But the company was organized to provide as more income as possible and to direct it where is necessary. During one period the market was the only place where one could trade. That period confirms the importance of the market for supplying.

The Market during and after the war have functioned successfully and have provided the means for the realization of the long-term development program.