Morocco and France Prepare Bilateral Agreement on Tomato Imports

Morocco and France are preparing to sign an agreement regulating the import of Moroccan cherry tomatoes to ease competition with French farmers. This development follows advancements in Moroccan agricultural production and aims to establish fair trade conditions between both countries.

A forthcoming bilateral agreement between Moroccan and French tomato producers is anticipated to be finalized by mid-March 2025. This accord aims to regulate the sale of Moroccan cherry tomatoes within the French market, thereby mitigating the competitive pressures faced by local French farmers due to low-cost Moroccan imports during the early stages of the growing season.

Historically, Moroccan tomatoes have supplemented French supplies during off-seasons. However, enhancements in Moroccan greenhouse production and an uptick in cherry tomato farming have transformed this dynamic. Currently, Moroccan tomatoes compete in the French market earlier in the season, offering lower prices and aggravating sector tensions against local products.

The production cost advantages in Morocco stem from affordable labor and the utilization of desalinated seawater for irrigation. These factors allow Moroccan farmers to sell tomatoes at markedly reduced prices. Consequently, to address trade imbalances, Morocco and France have reinstated their joint committee on fruits and vegetables, which had not convened since 2019. This revival was catalyzed by French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Rabat in October 2024.

Since then, representatives from both nations have convened multiple times, attending events such as the Meknès Agricultural Fair in April 2024 and the Paris Agricultural Fair in February 2025, paving the way for a structured agreement. On a related note, concerns have emerged regarding Morocco’s drought conditions and their associated cloud-seeding initiatives.

In summary, Morocco and France are set to finalize a bilateral agreement to regulate the import of Moroccan cherry tomatoes, aimed at alleviating competition with local French farmers. Factors such as lower production costs in Morocco have prompted this agreement. With the re-establishment of a joint committee for cooperation, both nations are working towards a balanced trade relationship in the agricultural sector.

Original Source: euroweeklynews.com