Morocco's tomato industry faces ongoing challenges from adverse weather and labor shortages as 2025 marks the sixth consecutive drought year. Despite these obstacles, Morocco remains a competitive force in the EU market, particularly against Spain.
Morocco's export figures remain stable and essential for revenue during difficult market conditions. Khalid Saïdi, president of Morocco's Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters (APEFEL), mentioned, "It is thanks to this half of the production that is exported that producers manage to get by." During January-March 2025, Morocco's tomato exports to Spain reached 31,986 tons, a 34.9% increase year-on-year, as per the European Commission. Additionally, Moroccan exports to the EU have seen a growth of 58.2% over the last decade.
Amidst ongoing water scarcity, Moroccan farm workers are gravitating towards more lucrative crops such as raspberries and blueberries. James Tyler, a Weather and Crop Researcher at Expana, observed, "Rainfall was below average for most of 2024, which created a poor situation for the agricultural industry going into 2025. Since the start of 2025, rainfall has continued to be below average. The exception was in March, when storms brought heavy rain to the country, restoring prospects for agriculture and the use of irrigation. However, there hasn't been a lot of rainfall since. As of the end of May, Morocco has received 21% less rainfall than historical expectations in 2025. This prolonged drought has lasted for six consecutive years."
The labor shortage, intensified by migration to European farms or local industries such as automotive, is a concern for Moroccan exports. According to Saïdi, "Being a producer in the tomato industry in Morocco has become a risky profession. Many people are retraining."
European growers express frustration over the influx of Moroccan tomatoes, citing regulatory discrepancies. The European Commission has proposed a regulation to reassess import value calculations, perceived as an attempt to limit Moroccan access, especially for tomatoes.
Source: Mintec/Expana