Unfair competition in the agricultural sector is a subject that concerns many French farmers. In particular, the importation of lower-cost Moroccan tomatoes is often cited as a glaring example of this situation. Over the years, tomato imports from Morocco have increased significantly, from 400,000 tonnes in 2021-2022 to almost 430,000 tonnes in the last season.
This increase in imported volumes was also accompanied by an increase in the value of Moroccan exports. France being the leading importer of Moroccan tomatoes in Europe, a significant part of these imports is then re-exported to other countries.
The main concern of French farmers lies in the unfair competition they feel they are experiencing from Moroccan producers. Indeed, labor costs in Morocco are much lower than those in France. While the hourly cost of Moroccan labor is just 98 cents, it reaches more than 12 euros in France, making it one of the most expensive labor costs in Europe.
In addition to labor costs, French farmers also denounce “environmental dumping” on the part of Moroccan producers. Indeed, environmental standards are not the same in Morocco, which allows Moroccan producers to benefit from an unfair competitive advantage. French farmers particularly highlight the problem of overexploitation of underground water resources in Morocco, linked to the development of irrigation.
Faced with this situation, the Association of Tomato and Cucumber Producers of France is calling for concrete reforms at European level to guarantee fair competition. In particular, it calls for better labeling of imported products in order to inform consumers about their origin. According to the association, it is important that consumers are informed about the origin of the products they buy so that they can make informed choices and support local farmers.
In conclusion, unfair competition in the agricultural sector, with the importation of lower-cost Moroccan tomatoes, is a matter of concern for French farmers. It is essential to find solutions to ensure fair competition and support local farmers, while ensuring sufficient transparency for consumers.