Moroccan tomatoes have been under attack in Europe in recent months. Last January, French farmers burnt batches of this Moroccan product and in recent days similar scenes have been reported in Spain. Due to water shortages and pressure from European farmers, the Moroccan tomato industry is in decline, French media reported.
European farmers denounce competition from Morocco, whose tomato exports are steadily increasing. The association of French tomato and cucumber producers noted:
In the 2022-2023 season, 424,690 tonnes of Moroccan tomatoes were imported into France compared to 394,740 tonnes in 2021-2022, an increase of more than 7%. In value terms, this increase totalled more than 168 million euros, or 27.5%.
Under the free trade agreement signed with the European Union in 2012, Morocco has a quota to export 285,000 tonnes of tomatoes to the EU market between October and May, and enjoys a 60 per cent reduction in customs duties.
French growers are demanding a review of this agreement and the quota granted to Morocco, which they believe is not true. In particular, they refer to the UK’s exit from the EU (Brexit), a country that used to import almost 45,000 tonnes of Moroccan tomatoes per year. Meanwhile, Moroccan exports continue to grow. Moroccan tomatoes have flooded the French market. Currently, 6 out of every 10 tomatoes consumed in France come from Morocco. This state of affairs is due to the high growth rates in the kingdom. A grower in Agadir told Le Monde in February:
A hectare that used to yield an average of 300kg a day is yielding more than a tonne this season.
Sudden price rise
In France, tomato growers have been hit by the Ukrainian crisis, which has led to a spike in the price of gas used to heat greenhouses and a 13 per cent drop in production. Morocco, for its part, devotes about 7,500 hectares to tomato cultivation, with yields ranging from 300 to 350 tonnes per hectare. Much of this is produced by French companies in co-operation with Moroccan firms. Among them is Azura, the fruit of a collaboration between Moroccan businessman Mohamed Tazi and Breton entrepreneur Jean-Marie Le Gall. The Moroccan also set up the Idyl group with Frenchman Pieric Puech, which specialises in exporting tomatoes to France.
Moroccan authorities have filed a complaint against the destruction of tomato shipments to France and Spain. It remains to be seen whether these legal actions will succeed. Professionals in Agadir said:
Instead of waging war against importer X or Y, they should be fighting the price difference between the price the producer receives and the price charged to the consumer. The real culprits are the supermarkets, not us.
One thing is certain: Moroccan tomatoes are not selling well in Europe. Faced with this situation, as well as water shortages and recurring viral infections, some Moroccan exporters are recommending turning to Russia.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, leader of the party Debout la France (France Arise), is calling for support for domestic producers:
Workers who work six days a week, up to 12 hours a day, are paid €1 an hour…. The European Union is allowing these Moroccan tomatoes to flood French supermarkets by completely cancelling customs duties from Morocco! This is the real record of Macronism: unfair competition for our farmers, disregard for labour conditions, a threat to consumers… On June 30 and July 7, let’s finally change our policies!
