FEPEX urges overhaul of Moroccan tomato entry prices amid soaring imports

MOROCCO – The Spanish fruit and vegetable sector is pushing for changes to market rules after a sharp increase in tomato imports from Morocco during the first quarter of 2025.

Spain imported 32,313 tonnes of Moroccan tomatoes between January and March, up from 24,118 tonnes in the same period last year. This marks a 34 percent increase.

The value of these imports also jumped by 57 percent, reaching €52.5 million (US$60.36 million) compared to €33.4 million (US$38.40 million) in early 2024.

The Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, and Live Plants (FEPEX) said this steady growth in Moroccan imports has created unfair competition for Spanish growers.

The group wants the European Union to reform the entry pricing system that currently governs produce imports under its agreement with Morocco.

“The disparity between the phytosanitary, labour, and social standards required in the EU, which are not required in the third countries of origin of EU imports, makes producers in member states increasingly less competitive,” FEPEX stated.

Tomatoes remain the top category of Moroccan imports into Spain, but other crops also contributed to the overall rise. Total fresh produce imports from Morocco grew by 24 percent in volume and 23 percent in value, reaching 188,076 tonnes and €481 million (US$553.05 million), respectively.

For comparison, imports stood at 156,229 tonnes and €311 million (US$357.59 million) in the first quarter of 2021.

Although tomato imports saw the biggest gains, peppers and green beans also featured prominently. Spain imported 32,046 tonnes of Moroccan peppers this quarter, a slight dip of 2 percent in volume, though their value increased by 4 percent to €42.6 million (US$48.98 million).

Green bean imports dropped both in volume and value, falling 17 percent and 12 percent respectively, but still amounted to 19,601 tonnes worth €42 million (US$48.29 million).

Concerns over local impact

FEPEX said Moroccan imports are displacing locally grown tomatoes, especially as the entry price mechanism in the EU-Morocco agreement no longer provides sufficient market protection.

“In the specific case of the growth in tomato imports from Morocco, this has led to a displacement of Spanish tomatoes,” the group said.

“This is also due to the fact that the entry prices, established in the EU Association Agreement with Morocco, have not fulfilled their function of protecting the EU market and have become obsolete, driving imports.”

The group said it wants reforms to help secure the future of tomato farming in Spain, which remains a key crop for many regions.

“FEPEX believes its reform is essential, with the aim of ensuring the viability of this crop of great social and economic importance in the regions that produce it and, ultimately, to ensure food sovereignty,” the statement continued.

Other sector updates

Besides the call for entry price reform, FEPEX also highlighted delays in the start of Spain’s table grape season, which will now begin around July 5. Expected output stands at 320,000 tonnes.

In another update, flower and plant imports into Spain rose by 17 percent, mainly from the Netherlands, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Brexit-related delays in UK-bound horticultural shipments remain a concern, with postponed phytosanitary controls continuing to affect exporters.

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