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Moroccan Produce Association Refutes European Disinformation Campaign Against Tomato Exports
Morocco’s Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters has issued a strong rebuttal against what it describes as a “disinformation campaign” targeting Moroccan tomatoes in European media outlets. The statement comes at a time when Morocco has solidified its position as the EU’s primary non-European tomato supplier.
The association highlighted Morocco’s consistent leadership in the European tomato market since 2023, attributing this success to the country’s high production standards and rigorous inspection protocols overseen by Morocco’s food safety regulator, ONSSA.
To counter recent allegations, the association cited compelling data showing that out of 5,502 notifications concerning imported plant products in the EU between 2020 and 2025, only 49 involved Moroccan produce—less than 1% of all notifications. The association emphasized that these figures demonstrate the “reliability of Morocco’s inspection system managed by ONSSA, which is recognized for its high level of rigor and transparency.”
The defensive stance comes in direct response to claims from European news outlet Que Choisir, which recently alleged that Moroccan and Spanish non-organic tomatoes contained numerous pesticide residues. According to the publication, “more than half of the Moroccan tomatoes analyzed and 80% of the Spanish ones contained multiple pesticide residues, compared to only 15% of the French samples.”
These accusations emerge against a backdrop of growing tension in European agricultural markets, where Moroccan produce has gained significant consumer preference for both quality and competitive pricing. This popularity has triggered backlash from some European producers who claim unfair competition from North African imports.
The situation has escalated beyond rhetoric in recent months, with reports of vandalism targeting Moroccan produce and physical attacks on Moroccan delivery trucks in European markets. These incidents reflect the intensifying competition in the EU’s agricultural sector, where domestic producers face growing pressure from imports.
Despite these challenges, Morocco’s tomato export industry continues to thrive. According to September data from Euroestacom (compiled by Hortoinfo), Moroccan tomato exports to the EU reached 568,370 tons during the 2024/2025 campaign. Meanwhile, agriculture-focused website EastFruit reported even more impressive figures, stating that the North African nation exported a record 745,000 tons of tomatoes in the 2024/25 season.
The financial impact of these exports has been substantial for Morocco’s economy, with the country earning nearly $1.2 billion from tomato sales during the period spanning July 2024 to June 2025, according to EastFruit’s analysis.
This trade dispute highlights broader issues within EU-Morocco agricultural relations. The North African kingdom has invested significantly in modernizing its agricultural sector under various development plans, improving both productivity and compliance with international standards. These investments have clearly paid dividends in export markets, particularly for high-value products like tomatoes.
For the EU, the situation presents a delicate balance between maintaining open trade policies with important regional partners like Morocco while also addressing the concerns of domestic agricultural producers who face competitive pressures from imports.
The current tensions also underscore the importance of transparent, science-based food safety standards and inspection regimes that can help prevent trade disputes from escalating into broader diplomatic issues. Both Morocco and the EU have significant interests in maintaining their agricultural trade relationship, which benefits European consumers through year-round access to affordable produce while providing crucial export revenue for Morocco’s developing economy.
As this situation continues to evolve, agricultural trade experts suggest that objective third-party verification of food safety claims could help defuse tensions and ensure that trade decisions are based on facts rather than protectionist sentiment.
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16 Comments
The Moroccan produce association seems to have presented a compelling case against the alleged disinformation campaign. Maintaining strong food safety standards is critical for any agricultural exporter, so I’m not surprised they are pushing back forcefully on these claims.
Yes, the low rate of notifications for Moroccan produce underscores the effectiveness of their inspection protocols. Transparency and accountability are key for sustaining export relationships.
This is an interesting development in the tomato trade between Morocco and the EU. It’s good to see the Moroccan producers taking a proactive stance to defend their reputation and export position. Data-driven rebuttals can be a powerful way to counter disinformation campaigns.
Absolutely. The figures cited by the Moroccan association demonstrate the reliability of their food safety system. Maintaining rigorous standards is critical for any major agricultural exporter.
This is an interesting case study in how agricultural exporters can respond to disinformation campaigns. The Moroccan produce association’s data-driven rebuttal seems like a prudent approach. Sustaining export markets requires consistent quality and credibility.
Agreed. The low notification rate for Moroccan produce indicates their food safety system is robust. Providing factual information is key for countering reputational attacks in the global trade arena.
It’s good to see the Moroccan produce association taking such a proactive stance in defending their tomato exports. Maintaining high standards and transparency is essential for any major agricultural exporter. Their data-driven response seems like an appropriate way to address these allegations.
Absolutely. The figures they cited demonstrate the effectiveness of Morocco’s inspection protocols. Countering disinformation with clear facts is the right approach to protect their export position and reputation.
Accusations of disinformation can be quite damaging for any exporter, so I’m glad to see the Moroccan producers taking this issue seriously. Citing specific data on their food safety track record is a sensible way to defend their reputation and export position.
Absolutely. Maintaining high standards and transparency is crucial for any major agricultural exporter. The Moroccan association’s response suggests they are committed to upholding the integrity of their tomato supply chain.
Accusations of disinformation can be serious, so it’s good to see the Moroccan producers take a proactive stance in defending the integrity of their tomato exports. Reliable data and adherence to food safety protocols should speak for themselves.
Agreed. Countering false claims with factual information is the right approach. Morocco’s position as a leading tomato supplier to the EU suggests its producers are delivering a quality product.
It’s encouraging to see the Moroccan produce association taking such a firm stance against these alleged disinformation claims. Providing clear data to back up their position is a smart move. Sustaining export markets requires consistent quality and transparency.
Agreed. The low rate of notifications for Moroccan produce suggests their inspection protocols are effective. Countering false claims with facts is the right approach for any exporter facing reputational challenges.
Interesting to see Morocco refute these claims against its tomato exports. Maintaining high food safety and quality standards is crucial for any major exporter. Glad to see the Moroccan association provide clear data to counter the alleged disinformation campaign.
Absolutely. The low rate of notifications for Moroccan produce indicates a robust inspection system. Transparency and meeting regulatory requirements are essential for sustaining export markets.