Morocco’s tomato exports to the EU increase in 2021

Published 2021년 8월 9일

Recently, Morocco has started to focus on the tomato production of, cherry tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine as they have a high demand from the EU market. It mainly exports tomatoes to the EU and the UK, representing more than 60% of the tomato export value of Morocco. During the 2020/21 season, tomato exports from Morocco have increased dramatically compared to the previous seasons, especially to the EU. Many tomato-growing countries in the EU like Italy, France, and Spain have lodged official complaints regarding increasing tomato imports more than the desired quantity.

Morocco is the third-largest producer of tomatoes in the African continent. The production volume has increased from 1.2 million tonnes in 2014 to 1.3 million tonnes in 2019. Tomatoes grown for the domestic markets are cultivated between February and September, followed by the main export season starting from August and lasting until March. The country has shifted its focus towards producing snack tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine instead of conventional tomatoes as they have a high demand from the EU market and higher margin during the early season. According to Iliass Feddol, Country Manager at Tridge, Moroccan cherry, and baby plum tomatoes are gaining more fame amongst customers in the EU and domestic market. It is expected that in 2022, the main tomato varieties will be red sweet and chery belle for cherry tomatoes and celia and caramello for baby plum tomatoes.

Morocco only holds 4.9% of the total global export market of tomatoes with USD 434.4 million worth of exports, but this still classifies Morocco as the fifth largest exporter of tomatoes worldwide. The amount of tomatoes exported from Morocco has increased by 44.7% since 2015. Currently, Morocco is one of the fastest-growing tomato exporters in the world, and also the largest exporter of tomatoes in Africa. The EU has a share of more than 60% of Morocco’s tomato exports due to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership which promotes economic integration between the two areas with an aim to remove barriers to trade. Morocco is able to export a certain quantity of tomatoes to the EU at a reduced import price during specific months of the year, October to April.

However, due to COVID-19, Morocco’s total tomato exports fell down by 46% in 2020 from the previous year. Prior to 2020, the country was witnessing increasing tomato export trends to the EU and the even UK. In the current season, tomato exports from Morocco have increased drastically compared to the previous seasons, especially to the EU. The total imports have already surpassed the volume expected under the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership agreement. Morocco shipped a total 518 thousand tonnes of tomatoes to the EU in 2020 compared to 373 thousand tonnes of tomato exports only till March 2021.

Source: Tridge

Many tomato-growing countries in the EU like Italy, France, and Spain have lodged an official complaint, alleging a breach by Morocco of an agreement with the European Union on trade in tomatoes. EU tomato growers are calling for a review of the agreement and monitoring of its implementation, in order to avoid jeopardizing production in the southern regions.