Spanish MEPs push EU to revisit Morocco trade deal over Moroccan Sahara ruling

The European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions is facing growing pressure from Spanish lawmakers to revisit the EU-Morocco trade agreement, especially regarding the impact of Moroccan tomato imports on Spanish farmers.

Spanish MEPs Carmen Crespo and Mireia Borrás Pabón urged the European Commission to take action. 

The MEPs said that the current trade deal, as it stands, is hurting tomato growers in southern Spain and violating a 2024 EU court ruling that excluded products from Moroccan Sahara from trade perks.

Crespo claimed the agreement is creating an “unacceptable imbalance” in Europe’s fruit and vegetable market.

Crespo is calling for stricter import quotas, more transparency on product origins, and better price controls. 

Crespo also warned that Morocco’s tomato imports may be costing the EU up to €70 million in lost taxes, and pushed for financial compensation if tax evasion is confirmed.

Borrás Pabon backed this call, criticizing the Commission for failing to act nearly a year after the court ruling. 

Pabon said that Moroccan tomatoes from the Moroccan Sahara must not benefit from tariff advantages and should be clearly labeled with their true origin.

Trade groups Fepex and Eucofel joined the discussion, saying Moroccan imports are undercutting EU production. 

The trade groups highlighted how tomato imports from Morocco have surged by 269% over the past decade, from 18000 tons in 2014 to over 66,000 tons in 2024. 

Over that same period, Spanish tomato production fell by 31%, and exports to the EU dropped by a quarter.

The Commission has yet to respond but is expected to issue a written reply soon.

This debate comes as EU farmers, especially in Spain, continue to voice concern over reportedly unfair competition and lack of enforcement of trade rules, an issue that could further strain agricultural relations between Europe and Morocco.