Morocco and France Prepare Agreement on Tomato Imports to Balance Market Competition

Morocco and France are poised to sign an agreement regulating Moroccan cherry tomato imports by mid-March, aiming to ease competition tensions for local French farmers. This initiative follows advances in Moroccan agricultural production and seeks to revive trade relations established years ago, catalyzed by high-level diplomatic meetings.

A forthcoming bilateral agreement between Morocco and France is set to be finalized by mid-March, primarily focusing on the regulation of Moroccan cherry tomatoes within the French market. This agreement is anticipated to alleviate tensions experienced by local French farmers concerning the influx of competitively priced Moroccan imports, which have increasingly overshadowed local production during the initial phases of the French growing season.

Historically, Moroccan tomatoes served to enhance the French supply during off-peak periods. However, recent enhancements in Moroccan greenhouse capabilities and an increase in cherry tomato cultivation have disrupted this equilibrium. Consequently, Moroccan tomatoes are now penetrating the French market significantly earlier, often at prices that undercut local products, leading to heightened tensions within the sector.

The reduced production costs in Morocco, primarily due to affordable labor and effective irrigation methods utilizing desalinated seawater, enable Moroccan producers to offer their products at markedly lower prices. In an effort to restore balance to trade relations, the nations have revitalized the long-dormant French-Moroccan joint committee on fruits and vegetables, which had not convened since 2019. This revival was catalyzed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat in October 2024.

Following this visit, representatives from both producer organizations have engaged in several discussions, including significant meetings at the Meknès Agricultural Fair in April 2024 and the Paris Agricultural Fair in February 2025. These dialogues have been pivotal in shaping a structured agreement between Morocco and France, addressing market competition concerns. Additionally, there are emerging worries surrounding drought conditions in Morocco and the potential impacts of their cloud-seeding initiatives.

The impending agreement between Morocco and France aims to regulate the import of Moroccan tomatoes, addressing competition issues affecting local French farmers. Enhanced agricultural practices in Morocco have allowed their products to enter the market earlier and at lower prices, necessitating diplomatic and economic measures to balance the trade landscape. Continuous dialogue between both nations indicates a commitment to resolving sector tensions while considering environmental concerns affecting agricultural production in Morocco.

Original Source: euroweeklynews.com