Spanish Fruit Seller’s Viral Video Ignites Debate on Moroccan Imports vs. Local Produce

Yeray works in his uncle’s old fruit shop in Bilbao, which he has made known on TikTok. In a comment on one of his videos that went viral, an internet user asked him why he sells fruits of Moroccan origin, particularly blueberries. In response, the young man explained in another video that his blueberries are 100% from Spain, more specifically from Huelva.

He also explained why he also offers products from Morocco. "Of course, I would like to have national products, which are the best, but what’s happening?" he asks, giving the example of green beans. "90% of the pods come from Morocco, 10% from Spain, those have to be sold at 5 or 6 euros per kilo, those from Morocco at 1.99 or 2.99 euros per kilo," he comments. The merchant adds that "Spain exports a lot and pays dearly, the pods from Almeria are more expensive than those from Morocco, among other things," before concluding: "We owe it to our customers."

This video sparked a lively controversy on social media. Some internet users shared the young seller’s opinion. "I buy according to my pocket and I don’t care if it comes from Morocco or Tanzania," commented one of them. Others criticized his remarks, saying that "no one should eat poison, even if it’s cheap, that’s what we have to teach our customers." And another insisted: what customers "save in price, they will pay in medicines and illnesses."