Spain’s fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco reached 188,076 tons worth €481 million in Q1 2025 – a 24% volume increase and 23% value jump year-over-year (FEPEX data). This continues a 5-year upward trend:
- +20% in volume (156,229 tons in Q1 2021 → 188,076 tons in Q1 2025)
- +54% in value (€311M → €481M)
Tomatoes: The Controversial Frontrunner
Moroccan tomatoes dominated Spanish imports with explosive growth:
- 34% more volume (32,313 tons vs. 24,118 tons in Q1 2024)
- 57% higher value (€52.5M vs. €33.4M)
This surge has directly displaced Spanish tomato production, as Moroccan growers benefit from:
✔ Lower production costs
✔ Less stringent pesticide regulations
✔ Outdated EU-Morocco trade agreement terms
Competitiveness Crisis in EU Agriculture
FEPEX warns of structural imbalances:
- Moroccan peppers also flooded markets (32,046 tons, though volumes dipped 2%)
- EU farmers face unequal competition on:
- Labor standards
- Environmental regulations
- Social protections
The current EU-Morocco Association Agreement’s reference price system (designed to protect EU markets) has become obsolete, inadvertently fueling imports.
Broader Import Trends Reveal Vulnerability
While Moroccan imports spike, Spain’s total produce imports grew modestly:
- +1% in volume (1.1M tons)
- +15% in value (€1.442B)
This suggests Morocco is capturing market share from other suppliers.
Urgent Need for Policy Reform
FEPEX demands immediate action to:
- Update trade agreements with realistic price floors
- Harmonize production standards for imports
- Support EU growers in maintaining competitiveness
Without intervention, Southern Europe’s vegetable belt risks permanent erosion of its agricultural base.
A Tipping Point for EU Food Sovereignty
Spain’s growing reliance on Moroccan produce exposes critical flaws in EU trade policy. While consumers benefit from lower prices, the long-term costs – lost farming jobs, reduced food security, and rural decline – demand urgent attention. The coming year will test whether Brussels prioritizes fair competition or allows its agricultural heartland to wither.
