Morocco and France are set to sign an agreement to regulate the import of cherry tomatoes, addressing competition concerns among local farmers. This comes after advancements in Moroccan production techniques, which enable lower prices. The revival of the joint committee focuses on creating balanced trade conditions between the nations.
A bilateral agreement between Morocco and France regarding the importation of cherry tomatoes is anticipated to be finalized by mid-March. This arrangement aims to regulate the influx of Moroccan cherry tomatoes into the French market, addressing concerns among local French farmers regarding competition from low-cost Moroccan imports during the early part of the growing season.
Historically, Moroccan tomatoes have supplemented French supply during the off-season; however, advancements in Morocco’s greenhouse production and the increased cultivation of cherry tomatoes have altered this dynamic. Consequently, Moroccan tomatoes are entering the French market earlier in the season at more competitive prices, creating tensions within the sector.
The lower production costs in Morocco, attributed to affordable labor and the use of desalinated seawater for irrigation, enable Moroccan farmers to price their tomatoes significantly lower than local products. To address these trade disparities, France and Morocco have reconvened the French-Moroccan joint committee on fruits and vegetables, which has been dormant since 2019, following President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat in October 2024.
Since that visitation, representatives of the producers have engaged in multiple discussions aimed at reaching a structured agreement, notably during significant agricultural fairs in Meknès and Paris in 2024 and early 2025, respectively. In addition to the trade discussions, there are rising concerns regarding Morocco’s ongoing drought and its cloud-seeding program.
The anticipated agreement between Morocco and France regarding cherry tomato imports signifies an important step towards mitigating tensions between local French farmers and Moroccan competitors. With lower production costs and enhanced agricultural practices in Morocco, it is vital for both nations to address the competitive landscape to ensure a balanced market. Ongoing discussions highlight the importance of collaboration between the two countries in the agricultural sector.
Original Source: euroweeklynews.com
