El Ejido, Nijar and Almería councils have backed Spain’s tomato sector following concerns about the impact of Moroccan imports
In Spain, the local councils of El Ejido, Nijar and Almería have approved motions during their respective plenary sessions, supporting the country’s tomato production and export sector against the ”negative effects” that the Association Agreement between the EU and Morocco is having on the sector.
This is in line with the concerns raised by Fepex, which issued a manifesto at the end of November on behalf of the tomato sector that was distributed by member associations – in this case Coexphal – to various local councils.
Fepex noted that the manifesto explained the ”negative consequences” that the EU-Morocco Association Agreement has been having on the Spanish and EU production sector “for years”.
It was reported that in Spain, tomato production for the domestic fresh market has fallen by 31 per cent in the last ten years, from 2.32mn tonnes in 2014 to 1.65mn tonnes in 2024.
Spanish tomato exports to the EU have fallen by 25 per cent, from 786,599 tonnes in 2014 to 591,098 tonnes in 2024 (excluding the UK), while Spanish tomato imports from Morocco have increased by 269 per cent, from 18,045 tonnes in 2014 to 66,624 tonnes in 2024.
Fepex also said that EU producers face a disadvantage due to stricter labour and health regulations, and that the amendment to the EU-Morocco Association Agreement of 2 October will ”exacerbate the current difficult situation”, as it will allow Moroccan production to increase.
The El Ejido City Council expressed its support for the tomato sector in its plenary session in December 2025.
Subsequently, the Nijar City Council approved a motion in its ordinary plenary session on 14 January supporting the tomato sector, while on 10 February, the Almería City Council approved another motion in the same vein.
The motion passed by the Almería City Council urges the Spanish Government and European institutions to ”firmly defend the interests of the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector”, demanding that imports from third countries comply with the same labour, social, environmental, and phytosanitary standards required of EU producers.
Furthermore, the Almería City Council supports the sector’s request that the European Parliament not ratify the amendment to the EU-Morocco Association Agreement of 2 October, as it would ”directly harm Spanish and European production”.
