Decline in Moroccan Tomato Shipments Raises Concerns in European Markets
Moroccan tomato exports to the European Union have recorded a significant decline since October 2025, according to recent data, raising alarms among European producers and importers who view this drop as an unusual deviation from normal supply levels.
A report from the FreshPlaza platform, which specializes in global agricultural markets, indicated that Europe’s imports of Moroccan and Saharan tomatoes totaled only 8,497 tons in October, compared to an average of 66,675 tons between 2020 and 2024, and about 71,463 tons in October 2024. Imports further decreased to 11,164 tons in November and 12,875 tons in December, confirming the continued decline in the following months.
European producers expressed their dissatisfaction with the limited official data available, calling on the European Commission to provide updated statistics and enhance transparency to ensure accurate tracking of import activities.
Despite this temporary drop, Morocco maintained strong performance during the 2024/2025 season, with tomato exports reaching approximately 745,000 tons worth nearly $1.2 billion, according to data from the Exchange Office. This marked an increase of 8.3% compared to the previous season, surpassing the record set in the 2022/2023 season.
Tomatoes remain the leading product among Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports, accounting for over 30% of the sector’s foreign currency earnings. Morocco ranks third globally among the largest exporters, following Mexico and the Netherlands.
Exports are distributed throughout the year, with a peak from November to March. Notably, November 2024 saw a record shipment of 105,000 tons, the highest monthly volume in the history of Moroccan exports.
According to the EastFruit platform, the sector continues to grow despite challenges posed by drought and labor shortages, benefiting from the competitiveness of Moroccan products and the diversity of targeted markets.
France remains the largest importer of Moroccan tomatoes, accounting for nearly half of the exports, followed by the United Kingdom with more than 15%. Both the Netherlands and Spain have increased their imports to extend export seasons, while shipments to Germany and Portugal have also seen growth.
Meanwhile, Morocco is reinforcing its presence in new markets, particularly in West Africa, such as Mauritania and Senegal, as well as emerging European markets like Belgium and the Scandinavian countries, which have registered record imports in recent years.
Data indicates that secondary markets have become a significant growth driver, with exports to these markets increasing by 40% compared to the previous season, reflecting a successful diversification strategy that strengthens Morocco’s position as a key player in agricultural trade at both European and African levels.
