Fepex calls for reform of EU-Morocco Association Agreement as imports continue to rise, citing concerns over entry price implementation and Western Sahara production
Spain’s fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco grew 28 per cent in the first four months of the year.
That is according to Fepex, which reported year-on-year growth to €672mn for the period, as Morocco strengthened its position as the leading supplier to the Spanish market.
Morocco represented 33 per cent of the Spain’s total fruit and vegetable imports in the first four months of the year, with the country’s overall imports standing at just over €2bn, 11 per cent more than the same period of 2024.
For January-April of the last five years, fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco have grown 56 per cent, rising from €432mn to this year’s €672mn.
In terms of volume, imports from Morocco also grew strongly, up 26 per cent compared to the first four months of 2024 to 254,385 tonnes.
In the last five years, fresh produce purchases have increased by 13 per cent.
”For Fepex, the continued growth of fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco into the Spanish market is being driven by the ineffective implementation of the 2012 EU Association Agreement with Morocco for some products, such as tomatoes, and specifically the entry prices set to protect EU production, which have failed to fulfil their purpose,” the association said.
”Therefore, a modification of this system is necessary.
”Furthermore, the growth of greenhouse farms in Western Sahara is boosting production destined for export, which will exacerbate the displacement of some producers from the EU market already facing,” it continued.
”Therefore, compliance with the provisions of the two judgments of the Court of Justice of the EU of 4 October 2024 on Western Sahara is considered a priority.
”The first, the judgment relating to Joined Cases C-779/21 P and C-799/21 P, establishes the exclusion of tomatoes produced in the Sahara from the tariff advantages included in the EU Association Agreement with Morocco,” Fepex added.
”The second, the judgment in Case C-399/22, establishes the obligation to indicate the country of origin or place of provenance of food produced in the Sahara.”
