Moroccan Produce Gains Ground in French Market, Challenging Local Farmers

According to data from the National Establishment of Agricultural and Maritime Products, also called FranceAgriMer, fruit imports have increased by 25% in 20 years while French fruit exports have halved, reports franceinfo. As a result, "the balance is negative and the deficit is widening for temperate fresh fruits that can be produced in mainland France, particularly in the south," specifies FranceAgriMer.

France is importing more and more apricots and peaches from Spain, melons, raspberries and blueberries from Morocco, which is causing French producers to lose market share, the establishment points out. As for apple exports, the situation is far from rosy: they have fallen by 60% since 2003. France does not export tropical fruits and citrus fruits, its climate not allowing their production. It is then forced to turn to Côte d’Ivoire, Colombia or Ecuador to import bananas, the most consumed fruit in the country.

The statistics also show that fresh vegetable imports have increased by 30% in 20 years and exports have also increased by 26%, resulting in a slightly negative balance. As for tomatoes, 76% are imported from Morocco. This situation is partly explained by lower labor costs in Morocco.