The Andalusian Coordinator of Agricultural and Livestock Organizations (COAG) has denounced that, in the middle of the fruit and vegetable campaign, the entry of products from Morocco is causing an alarming drop in prices that is affecting Andalusian producers.
Andrés Góngora, head of Fruits and Vegetables at COAG Andalucía, says that the fruit and vegetable market has been destabilized by the importation of Moroccan products since the association agreement between the European Union and Morocco came into force on October 15.
"The impact of the entry of imported products from Morocco has already been felt since the first days of November, causing serious damage to Andalusian growers."
“This campaign, we've seen high yields that, before the tariffs on Moroccan products were removed, were being nicely absorbed by the market. This has been ruined by the unfair competition caused by the entry of Moroccan fruit and vegetables.”
Andrés Góngora cites information from the number one market for Moroccan imports: the international market of Perpignan, where on 11/11/20 the following prices were recorded for Moroccan products:
- Round tomato Class.I 57-67 mm 6 kg pack
0.55 €/kg - Elongated cherry tomato Class.I: 1.85 €/kg
- Round cherry tomato Class.I 250 g container: 1.75 €/kg
- Long green pepper 40-60 mm: 0.65 €/kg
- Long green pepper 50-70 mm: 0.70 €/kg
- Green zucchini 14-21 cm: 0.60 €/kg
- Green zucchini 21-30 cm: 0.50 €/kg
The drop in horticultural prices is widespread, but the most affected products are tomatoes, zucchini and peppers, as well as eggplant and cucumber.
Given the circumstances, COAG Andalusia is asking the Ministry of Agriculture to act urgently "in the face of this serious damage to our producers" and request the implementation of prior import certificates.
"These certificates should be presented by the operators that work with Moroccan products," says Góngora. This is a measure foreseen in the agricultural association agreement between the European Union and Morocco that must be activated in the event of a market disruption, as is the case. The shipments of Moroccan products will be stopped if you do not have a certificate previously issued by the EU.”
COAG is also calling on the Government of Andalusia, urging it to meet its commitment to monitoring the fraudulent labeling of Moroccan products that are sold as if they were Spanish.
For more information:
COAG Andalucía
www.coagandalucia.com