In the first four months of the year, Spanish imports of fresh fruits and vegetables from Morocco totaled 672 million euros, 28% more than in the same period of the previous year. This means Morocco showed the strongest growth among Spain's fruit and vegetable suppliers.
Morocco consolidated its position as Spain's leading fruit and vegetable supplier, with a 33% share of all Spanish fruit and vegetable imports in the first quarter of the year, which totaled 2,006 million euros, 11% more than in the same period in 2024.
And it maintains the upward trend of previous periods. Over the past five years, Spanish fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco between January and April increased by 56%, from 432 million euros in 2021 to 672 million euros this year.
In the same period, the volume increased by 13%. This year, the volume increased by 26% to 254,385 tons compared to the first four months of 2024.
According to Fepex, this continued growth is driven by the improper application of the 2012 EU Association Agreement with Morocco, especially for some products like tomatoes, as the entry prices set to defend Community production have not worked. Therefore, Fepex is advocating for changes to the system.
In addition, greenhouse cultivation in Western Sahara is increasing, and more and more crops are destined for export, putting further pressure on European growers. Fepex is urging Spain and the EU to strictly comply with two rulings of the European Court of Justice of 4 October 2024. The first ruling (issued in the C-779/21 P and C-799/21 P joined cases) establishes that tomatoes from the Sahara are not entitled to the tariff advantages included in the EU Association Agreement with Morocco. The second ruling, issued in case C-399/22, requires clear labeling of the origin of Saharan products.
For more information: www.fepex.es