The Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has taken significant steps to regulate its tomato exports in response to soaring prices affecting local consumers. As the second-largest supplier of tomatoes to the European Union (EU), following the Netherlands, Morocco has made the strategic decision to halt its sales to the rest of the African continent and impose restrictions on transactions destined for Europe.
According to a report by Efe, the Interprofessional Federation of Fruit and Vegetables (Fifel) confirmed the implementation of this measure following consultations with the Independent Agency for the Control and Coordination of Exports, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture. This decision comes despite the acknowledged potential repercussions on the credibility of Moroccan exporters. The collaboration between the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and export associations was described as "consensual and amicable," facilitating effective and gradual control over pricing.
Before the enforcement of this regulation, the price of tomatoes in central Rabat was 14 dirhams (approximately €1.3) per kilogram, but it has now dropped to 11 dirhams per kilogram (around €1). The Interprofessional Federation of Fruit and Vegetables has noted that Moroccan exporters have existing contractual obligations with partners in Africa and Europe, and failing to meet these commitments could lead to these partners seeking alternative suppliers from competing countries.
Data from the Trade Map indicates that Morocco exported 767,347 tons of fresh tomatoes in 2024, valued at an estimated €975 million. Notably, the EU accounted for 75.6% of this volume, while the United Kingdom represented 16.58%. European farmers have criticized the EU for its leniency towards tomatoes imported from Morocco, as they are allowed to compete on equal footing in European markets due to a preferential agreement, despite being cultivated under favorable legislation concerning labor costs, production, and the application of phytosanitary measures.
The grievances of European farmers have intensified since October 2025, when the European Commission revised its agreement with Morocco, which had been deemed illegal by European courts to include territories in Western Sahara in the commercial alliance.
As reported by eldebate.com.
