Courgette imports from Morocco into the EU have been spiralling in recent seasons causing some concern among the Spanish export community.

In 2007 the EU imported 65,000 tonnes of courgettes from Morocco, up from 41,811t the previous year - an increase of more than 36 per cent.

Spain is one of the biggest importers of the Moroccan product having purchased 7,407t last season.

But the Spanish federation of producers and exporters’ is concerned that this figure shows there was an increase of 28 per cent in the level of imports year on year from 2006 to 2007.

And during the 2007-08 campaign from October to April, Morocco is likely to close the season having exported 20,000t as established through the bilateral association agreement between the north African country and the trading bloc.

However, by January 10, import records showed that Morocco had already exceeded this quota.

Topics