Moroccan Agriculture Confederation denounces French attacks on tomato imports

MOROCCO – Tensions between Moroccan and French agricultural sectors have escalated, with the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (Comader) condemning recent attacks on Moroccan tomato imports by French farmers.

On May 19, Comader issued a strongly worded statement in response to the latest incidents in France, where French farmers have been targeting shipments of Moroccan tomatoes.

“These demonstrations were encouraged by three organizations from the French agricultural world,” Comader stated, identifying FDSEA, Légumes de France, and Jeunes Fermiers as the main instigators.

Comader criticized these groups for “wrongly denouncing unfair competition” and highlighted that Moroccan tomatoes are exported under a legal framework established by an agricultural agreement between Morocco and the European Union.

The controversy intensified on May 16, when French farmers set up an illegal blockade at the Perpignan toll booth.

They targeted trucks transporting Moroccan tomatoes, overturning one vehicle and dumping its load of cherry tomatoes on the spot. This dramatic act followed earlier incidents in January, when French farmers burned shipments of Moroccan tomatoes.

Comader expressed frustration over the “lack of rigour” by French authorities in dealing with these repeated attacks.

The Moroccan daily Hespress and news site Bladi.net have reported extensively on these events, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the conflict.

France’s heavy reliance on Moroccan tomatoes is a significant factor in the dispute. In 2022, France imported 425,000 tons of tomatoes from Morocco, accounting for 75% of its total tomato purchases.

French farmers argue that these imports undermine local production and harm their livelihoods, leading to increased tensions.

The unrest is part of a wider wave of farmer protests across Europe. On February 1, farmers from various countries gathered in Brussels during a major summit on Ukraine, protesting outside the parliament building with eggs, horns, and fires.

Similar actions have taken place in Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Greece, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

“We are no longer making a living from our profession,” a farmer in Paris told CNN, capturing the sentiment of many European farmers who feel squeezed by competitive pressures and import policies.

Despite agriculture accounting for just 1.4% of the European Union’s GDP, farmers have shown their capacity to cause significant disruption.

Last year, protests over cheap Ukrainian imports led to prolonged blockades at Eastern European border crossings. These events underscore the agricultural sector’s ability to mobilize and impact broader economic activities.

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