Moroccan farmers condemn attacks on tomatoes in France, blame French organizations

Moroccan tomato farmers are up in arms after facing repeated attacks on their produce in France, particularly in the southern city of Perpignan. 

The Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture (COMADER) accuses three French agricultural groups of inciting these disruptions.

COMADER emphasizes their commitment to working with European partners within existing trade agreements. However, they strongly condemn the “unjustified attacks” targeting Moroccan tomatoes since the export season began. 

The confederation criticized the French authorities for not doing enough to address what it calls the worrying increase in these incidents. 

They also said that Moroccan tomatoes comply with all EU regulations and undergo strict inspections before entering European markets.

COMADER further added that Moroccan tomatoes fill a gap in the French market during their own production lull. Not to mention that Moroccan companies create hundreds of jobs in Perpignan’s logistics sector.

Faced with this growing hostility, COMADER said that it reserves the right to defend its members’ interests by all possible means. 

COMADER poinedt out that Moroccan tomato exports are legal under the existing agreement between Morocco and the EU In a final message to the French groups involved, warning that they won’t tolerate such unacceptable behavior.

The attacks on Moroccan tomatoes reportedly stem from protests organized by French agricultural associations like the National Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Producers. 

These groups claim Moroccan tomato imports are massive and unfairly compete with their own produce during peak French production. They also demand clearer labeling for consumers.

However, COMADER counters that these accusations are unfounded as Moroccan exports adhere to established trade regulations.

COMADER had already filed a lawsuit against Spanish farmers in Spanish courts after tensions between Moroccan and Spanish agricultural sectors escalated significantly recently.

This follows a series of violent attacks targeting Moroccan trucks transporting produce destined for export to the European Union. Spanish farmers were accused of vandalizing these vehicles and destroying their fruit and vegetable cargo.