In France, disgruntled farmers have dumped Moroccan tomatoes in supermarket car parks over the past week, protesting alleged 'unfair competition.' Moroccan exporters, however, are refusing to be scapegoated for Paris' political issues.
"Our products are not invading France or Europe. We are subjected to rigorous requirements," a representative of the Moroccan Exporters' Association stated anonymously.
Morocco, the leading supplier of tomatoes to the European Union in 2022, exported 424.690 tonnes of tomatoes that year. The Moroccan tomatoes' market dominance in France is facilitated by cheap labor and the EU's 'tax exemptions deal,' making them a favorite for customers and retail chains seeking 'petits prix' deals.
However, the free trade agreement between Morocco and the EU doesn't entirely eliminate taxes for Moroccan tomatoes. They are subject to entry prices and annual limitations, and any quantities exported beyond these quotas are subject to tariffs.
French companies have primarily benefited from this tax deal, growing their crops in Morocco and selling them in France at prices that small French farmers cannot compete with. Azura, a company established in 1998, is one such example, with an estimated revenue of "€400 million" in 2022.
French farmers have been demonstrating for over a week, blocking major roads into Paris and other highways nationwide. Their complaints range from strict environmental regulations to cheap imports from non-EU nations like Ukraine and Morocco, with the primary focus on the struggle to maintain livelihoods in a capitalist world.
Source: www.newarab.com