How to Strengthen Food Sovereignty: Debate in the European Parliament

The headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels hosted, on Wednesday March 26, the event "Strengthening European food sovereignty: What are the priorities?" co-organized by MEPs, Esther Herranz Garcia, Eric Sargiacomo and Elsi Katainen. This was attended by the director of the Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruit and Vegetables (FEPEX), José María Pozancos. He explained that the revision of entry prices should be one of the priorities that the European Commission to protect the EU tomato producing sector and food sovereignty.

Case of fresh tomato: 30% reduction of Spanish production in 10 years

The EU tomato sector has suffered a significant loss of competitiveness in the last decade. On the one hand, there has been a decline in production and exports. Since 2014, fresh tomato production in Spain has fallen by 30%, while exports have decreased by 43%, falling from 786,598 tons in 2014 to 448,004 tons in 2023. While, on the other hand, there has been a sustained growth in exports from third countries to the EU, and especially from Morocco.

Imports from Morocco have increased by 42% in 10 years.

In the same period, imports of Moroccan tomatoes to the EU increased by 42%, from 345,416 tons in 2014 to 491,908 tons in 2023, according to Eurostat data. There has been a displacement of Spanish tomatoes in the market and this has been mainly due to the fact that the entry prices, established in the EU Association Agreement with Morocco, have not fulfilled their function of protecting the Community market and have become obsolete, boosting imports.

In force for 25 years

It was fixed in 2000 and was set at 46.1 €/100kgs, moreover, taking into consideration only round tomatoes, because it was the most exported by Morocco at that time. However, at present, the growth of imports of other varieties, such as cherry tomatoes, strongly threatens the income of Community producers, who do not receive any direct income support.

Relaying the minimum price of tomatoes

Therefore, according to the director of FEPEX, Jose Maria Pozancos, a review of entry prices is required, establishing an entry price with import values differentiated for each variety of tomato, establishing a level of protection in line with production costs. And this differentiation could be made taking into consideration the new customs nomenclature that, for the tariff heading that accounts for tomatoes, 0702. It came into force on January 1, 2025 and differentiates three types of tomatoes: whole tomatoes with a diameter of less than 47 mm (cherry or cherry), vine tomatoes and other tomatoes (round, pear, etc.).

Conclusions: three priority changes

The three main changes required are: to improve the position of farmers in the value chain; to have sufficient crisis management tools such as strategic stocks; and thirdly, to protect our farmers from dumping and lack of trade reciprocity. Each of these dimensions was discussed at the aforementioned event, which was attended by representatives of the main farmers' associations, experts and representatives of European and national institutions. FEPEX's presentation was integrated into the third section of the day: protecting our farmers from dumping and lack of trade reciprocity. For more information on the possible reform on minimum entry prices you can write here.