Spanish Tomato Industry in Crisis as Moroccan Imports Surge, EU Report Finds

Andrés Góngora, COAG’s fruit and vegetable manager, called during a meeting of the EU Tomato Market Observatory for immediate measures to strengthen border defenses against imports from countries like Morocco and Turkey. He expressed the urgency of actions to mitigate the negative impact on the profitability of Spanish and European producers. Among the proposals, COAG insists on the integration of European production standards in trade agreements and the revision of the entry price system.

This situation is exacerbated by the recent initiatives of the Moroccan government, which has announced massive subsidies for tomato production, reaching up to 70% of their value, among other financial benefits for local producers. These measures are part of a broader strategy to stimulate the country’s horticultural production, raising serious questions about the fairness of the competitive landscape.

Góngora criticizes the position of the European Commission, which he accuses of passivity in the face of this crisis. He claims that Europe seems to turn a blind eye to these practices, thus allowing companies to relocate their production, subsequently flooding European markets with products that harm local industries.

The figures presented at the Observatory meeting forecast an alarming 22% decrease in tomato production in Spain by 2035, with a corresponding increase in imports, particularly from Morocco and Turkey. Spain, a major player in the European market, could thus become a net importer due to this competition.