The Spanish olive sector is at risk due to the imbalance of the EU-Mercosur agreement

The Spanish Association of Exporters and Industrialists of Table Olives (Asemesa) has reiterated its rejection of the EU-Mercosur agreement, describing it as a "serious threat" to the table olive sector in Spain. The organisation warns that this treaty creates a competitive imbalance that seriously harms Spanish exports, which are already affected by the tariffs imposed on black olives in the USA. According to Asemesa, the treaty will allow olive imports from South American countries, such as Argentina, to progressively enter the European Union without tariffs within a period of seven years. Meanwhile, Spanish olives exported to Mercosur will continue to face tariffs of 12.6%. This scenario puts Spain's position in key markets at risk. “The Brazilian market, one of the main consumers of olives in the world with more than 120 million kilos per year, is already being captured by Egypt thanks to its low price and its trade agreement with Mercosur since 2017. By 2027, Egypt will ...