Faced with increased threats from Spanish lobbying against Moroccan tomatoes, APEFEL (the Association of Moroccan Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters) has turned to the Moroccan government for support. They have asked the government to take necessary measures in case the European Parliament decides to penalise Moroccan exports.
President of APEFEL, Lahoucine Adardur, says that despite respecting quotas fixed in Moroccan-EU agreements, Spanish lobbying takes every opportunity to attack Moroccan tomatoes. "However, it has been remarked that competition in the 2015-2016 season was mainly between Benelux countries (Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg)."
Benelux has massively invested in greenhouses using biogas and artificial lighting. "This has increased production and decreased prices compared to the previous season. It has also prolonged the production season, negatively impacting Spanish tomatoes."
"It should also be noted that imports from third countries such as Morocco only represent 13% of the EU interior market, and Moroccan exports therefore have no effect on the commercial situation of tomatoes in the EU. A strong argument is that between the 1st October to the 30th May (period open to Moroccan quotas) European tomato prices are at their highest. During the summer period, when Morocco is practically absent from the European market, the EU countries are subject to laws of supply and demand."