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The number of Moroccan tomatoes exported to Europe has significantly increased, with Morocco becoming the leading supplier in several European markets, such as in the United Kingdom. In France or Spain, this success has caused friction with some European farmers' associations who accuse their governments of prioritizing Moroccan produce.
Cited by Fresh Plaza, figures from the European Commission show a significant increase in tomato imports from non-EU countries between 2014/15 and 2022/23. European tomato purchases rose from 424,274 tons to 821,918 tons, with Morocco accounting for a staggering 65.6%, 329,696 tons and 539,307 tons, in the last campaign.
The trend continued from October 2023 to March 2024, with the EU importing 551,015 tons of tomatoes, 373,421 tons of which originated from Morocco.
In 2023, tomato exports generated nearly $1.2 billion for Morocco, representing almost three-quarters of the total value of the country's fresh vegetable exports. Morocco solidified its position as the world's third-largest fresh tomato exporter, behind Mexico and the Netherlands.
Morocco's success extended to the UK market, with tomato sales outperforming Spain by 84%, compared in 2024, compared to 67.42% in 2021. Within the EU, France remains the primary destination for Moroccan shipments, accounting for 78.5% (293,113 tons) of the tomatoes imported from the kingdom. Notably, 98% of tomatoes France imported from non-EU countries during this period came from Morocco.
Countering European farmers' protests
In Spain, Moroccan exports have contributed to price declines in certain areas like the Almería region. Some European producers are surprised by the sheer volume entering the market. To differentiate themselves, some producers are focusing on specialty tomatoes catering to specific markets.
Data from Euroestacom reveals a significant shift in the European market. In 2015, Spanish tomato sales exceeded Moroccan exports by 109%. However, by 2023, the gap narrowed to just 17%. In the first quarter of 2024, Morocco surpassed Spain by selling 19% more tomatoes (34 million kilos).
For their part, other farmers are organizing the revolt by attacking trucks carrying Moroccan tomatoes for export. This May, the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER) denounced attempts to disrupt Moroccan tomatoe imports in France, ignoring the legally established trade agreements with the EU. Previously, on March 4, the organization took legal action in Spain by filing a complaint in Girona.
