The EU imports more Moroccan tomatoes

For the European Union markets, the main tomato supplier countries are Spain and the Netherlands, which are member countries of the EU, and as non-EU country, Morocco. Over the past 5 years Dutch and Spanish shipments to other EU countries have fallen while Moroccan shipments to the EU have increased.

 

According to Eurostat data, taken up by FEPEX, over the last 5 years, exports from the Netherlands to the rest of the EU countries as well as Spain's exports to the rest of the EU countries fell as shipments from Morocco to the EU increased:

 

Tomato exports from the Netherlands to the EU totaled 844,022 tonnes in 2016 but only 803,278 tonnes in 2020, or -5%. Tomato exports from Spain totaled 763,844 tonnes in 2016 but only 613,053 tonnes in 2020, or -20%. The EU imported 344,094 tonnes from Morocco in 2016 and 435,041 tonnes in 2020, i.e. + 26%.

 

The presence of Moroccan tomatoes is therefore increasing on the EU market and affects several producing countries within the EU. A common commercial policy, supporting European preference, is becoming urgent according to Spanish professionals.

 

In 2020 EU countries also imported 195,718 tonnes of tomatoes from Belgium, 193,536 tonnes of tomatoes from France and 125,622 tonnes of tomatoes from Turkey.

 

source : fepex es, ec.europa.eu, bladi.net