Breton Farmers Protest Moroccan Tomato Imports, Demand Clearer Labeling

Labels indicating "Origin Morocco" were affixed to cherry tomato packages to draw consumers’ attention to the origin of the products in the Leclerc Cleunay store in Rennes.

"Putting little stickers is not much. What we’re asking for is a much larger font size of at least 15mm, with the country of origin flag in addition so that it’s really clearly identifiable in the act of purchase," complained Christophe, a tomato producer in Ille-et-Vilaine, to France Bleu.

The current situation is such that several French producers are struggling to sell their stock during the season. And this difficulty is not due to a cost issue, as the price of French cherry tomatoes is identical to that of Moroccan tomatoes, the producers regret. It is rather the lack of transparency in labeling that is being challenged. The indication "product of Morocco" is discreetly placed on the side of the packaging, a practice that the farmers denounce.