Spanish tomato growers attribute the decline in cherry tomato cultivation to competition from Morocco, citing differences in prices, labour costs, and regulatory standards.

The Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX) raised these concerns in a statement on October 19, following discussions with European Commission tomato experts in Brussels on October 15.

According to the figures presented, Morocco exported 527,000 tons of fresh tomatoes to the EU in 2025, accounting for approximately 68.2 per cent of the bloc's imports from non-EU countries. These figures cover all fresh tomato varieties, not exclusively cherry tomatoes.

Spanish growers are also facing rising input costs. Energy and transport expenses have increased by 16 per cent, while costs for plastics, packaging, and packing materials have risen by 18 per cent, offsetting the benefits of higher selling prices.

Spanish tomato output declined by approximately 2 per cent during the 2025/2026 season. The decrease was attributed to weather conditions, phytosanitary challenges, and the cultivation of virus-resistant varieties with lower yields.