Since January’s end assaults against Moroccan trucks carrying fresh goods were reported throughout France as well as recently in Spain. A number of Moroccan exporters have spoken to FreshPlaza about their dismay and insecurity over the increased number of raids. In a statement, the Moroccan Confederation of Agriculture and Rural Development (COMADER) declared its “deep concerned over the numerous and ill-founded attacks against Moroccan agricultural products along with misinformation being circulated within the media” as well as stating that Moroccan exports of agricultural products “stand apart for their superior quality and adherence to the laws governing the import market.”
Oussama Machi is an exporter from the Souss Massa region, told FreshPlaza: “We are very deeply affected by these irrational and unjustified actions. They aren’t concerned about whether they are headed for or from the Spanish market or for the UK as they attack trucks due to the fact that they originate from Morocco. What exactly does an Spanish or French protester have to relate to a truck carrying tomatoes headed for the UK and is no any longer part of the European Union? There is no difference between the current situation in Europe right now, and the assaults on the Red Sea by Houthi pirates on the Red Sea.”
The exporter tells of the destruction in a statement that is backed by other exporters in diverse Moroccan region: “These people attack Moroccan trucks, break a few pallets, and keep the trucks unlocked, which causes damage to the cold chain, and can cause the fresh fruits and vegetables to become spoiled. Every exporter is affected since those that are spared from the attack have to contend with blocked roads and delivery delays and, consequently, the penalties that customers impose on them. Once trucks can get to the markets, they cause an increase in the prices.”
According to Machi as well as different sources from the industry, “all the damage was caused by exporters alone. The transporters and the insurance companies are responsible.” A exporter on the Larache region of Morocco said that he had been rejected by his insurance provider because “goods insurance doesn’t protect against act of banditry within Morocco or anywhere else.” When we asked for a comment on the issue and we were not able to get a response from the Moroccan Insurance Federation did not answer our inquiries.
In the past few days, the crisis has grown in size up to slowing the harvest of various crop varieties in Morocco in the absence of a resolution and the return of calm. Exporters based on the Gharb region of Morocco told FreshPlaza that he was suspending his sales. A different exporter, who is based in Agadir and Agadir, stated, “Some of us cannot be able to recover quickly from losing an entire truckload.”
“The manner of protests and the motive behind them is not justifiable.” Machi says Machi, “The protesters are employing us as a scapegoat to pressure their government and receive further subsidies. That’s all. Their accusations of Moroccan exporters and producers is solidly based. It is Morocco who is stepping out from the Association Agreement with the EU having a deficit agriculture-related products. Morocco owns a personal trade deficit that is shared with France as well as Spain in addition. France brought in 706 million dollars worth of Moroccan tomatoes in the last fiscal year as well as Morocco imports EUR868 millions worth of French wheat. Not to mention the fact that trade takes place in Morocco’s currency. This is beneficial to their economy overall. France is in the best interest to purchase Moroccan tomatoes due to the proximity of their market and prices and proximity, while Morocco is required to purchase Russian wheat. Keep in mind that throughout Europe just 3% of the tomatoes come from Moroccan Origin.”
In response to the allegations regarding “inferior standard for Moroccan products” as well as “non-compliance of environmental regulations”, Machi replies: “We have the same standards as they have in Europe and we adhere to the same guidelines and are subject to the same audits. In contrast, Moroccan exporters are in the real sense at a major disadvantage. The Spanish and French colleagues say our labor costs are cheaper however, we employ three times the number of workers per hectare, which is three times more than what they employ. There are transport, export as well as other costs do not.”
“They affirm that our products are less than theirs, but they alter the label of our products in order to make them appear like they’re made in Europe. Our main advantage is temperature. If Moroccan tomatoes are removed from the market, what will French or Spanish producers grow during winter? Are they planning to use climate-controlled greenhouses with carbon emissions which are detrimental to the ecosystem they protect? Will we also find empty tomatoes on the shelves as we did the winter of last year?”
Machi persists in his plea as a response to allegations of protesters “The thresholds for price and the volume quotas as well being the contingent regime effectively safeguard local production in Europe as well as are currently being implemented. These are actually not enough for Moroccan exporters as well as European consumers, however we weren’t expecting European manufacturers to be among the first ones who are complaining. We should remember that Spain’s model of business is dependent on exports. It’s important to note it has a strong hold on the market selling their entire stock without loss. There are periods of the year where Moroccan exporters are able to sell their products for a loss to fulfill their obligations.”
The exporter, however, makes an distinction between protesters and “You are able to separate them into two groups There are those who I think of as the criminals who are slapping the Moroccan trucks with total complacency of the police, and completely insecurity, threatening the drivers in order to put pressure on their governments as well as the European Commission. In contrast is the farmer who suffer and are falling apart under the burden of burdens of. We have read with deep sorrow and awe at the numbers about the suicides of colleagues in France. However, we’re not anyhow in the same as them in their competitive plans.”
“What’s even more is that, despite the fact that freedom trade agreement has helped Morocco to be a part of the world economy, we are still in an enormous deficit, particularly in Europe,” adds Machi. “It’s the tomatoes, and certain fruits that we are able to compete as European customers need these goods that come from a reliable, close stable and secure source such as Morocco,” he concludes. In its report, COMADER pointed out that “between 2021 and 2022 Moroccan exports of agriculture produce to the EU have increased by 15%, whereas exports to Spain were up by 2%. In the same time, EU agricultural exports into Morocco are up by 75 percentage and Spanish exports have grown by 20 percent.”
More information is available here:
Oussama Machi
Casamance Food
Tel: +212661178150
Email: oussama.machi@gmail.com