Moroccan tomato imports face fresh scrutiny amid Spanish allegations
EU authorities confirm no tax fraud on Moroccan tomatoes despite Spanish complaints, fueling tensions in the agricultural trade sector.
MOROCCO – Morocco remains firm as the top tomato supplier to the European Union, despite renewed accusations from Spanish agricultural groups.
Spanish producers claim Moroccan exporters have exceeded quota limits and evaded tax obligations, but EU authorities have dismissed these allegations.
On March 22, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen addressed concerns raised by Spanish MEP Carmen Crespo from the Group of the European People’s Party.
The discussion stemmed from claims by the Coordination of Spanish Farmers’ and Breeders’ Organisations (COAG), which argued that Moroccan exporters had bypassed taxes amounting to 71.7 million euros by exceeding quota limits between 2019 and 2024.
Under the 2012 EU-Morocco Agreement, Morocco is permitted to export 285,000 tonnes of tomatoes annually to the EU.
Spanish producers estimate that Moroccan exports have surpassed this limit by nearly 230,000 tonnes each year. However, Hansen clarified that customs authorities had collected 81 million euros in duties on fresh Moroccan tomato imports during the same period. “On this basis, the Commission has not detected any tax evasion,” he stated.
COAG has not officially responded to Hansen’s remarks, and neither has the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation for the Production and Export of Fruit and Vegetables (Fifel).
However, Moroccan producers remain unconcerned by the accusations. “This is not new and it is not surprising. Spanish producers have been trying for years to hinder Moroccan exports, without success,” said Lahoucine Adardour, president of Fifel, in a statement to FreshPlaza.
The latest allegations from Spain align with ongoing efforts by Spanish agricultural groups to push back against Morocco’s growing influence in the European market.
On January 20, 2025, COAG announced plans to file a complaint with the Court of Auditors of the European Union (ECA), reiterating claims of unfair competition and excessive imports from Morocco.
Spanish farmers argue that Moroccan exporters benefit from lower production costs and favorable trade terms, making it harder for Spanish producers to compete. Khalid Saidi, president of the Moroccan Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters (Apefel), dismissed these concerns.
“To be clear, there has never been an agreement to suspend exports of Moroccan tomatoes for any period of the year. It would be contrary to the laws and regulations,” he said in an interview with FreshPlaza.
“We do not understand this obsession with Moroccan tomatoes at a time when the balance of trade with the EU is largely unfavorable to Morocco.”
Market trends and future outlook
Despite Spanish opposition, Morocco continues to dominate the EU tomato market. Data from the Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development shows that Morocco led fresh tomato exports to the EU in the 2023/2024 season, shipping 528,773 tonnes.
Recent reports suggest that Moroccan producers have also dismissed claims of a proposed agreement with French tomato suppliers. French media outlet Réussir previously reported that negotiations were underway to coordinate the seasonal availability of Moroccan and French cherry tomatoes.
However, Apefel denied any such agreement, reinforcing Morocco’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted exports.
With EU authorities rejecting the latest fraud allegations, Morocco’s position in the European tomato market remains strong. However, as Spanish opposition persists, further disputes may arise in the future.
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