Unfair Competition Alleged: Tomato Farmers in France Protest against Moroccan Produce in Supermarkets

On Friday, tomato farmers in Agen, Rennes, Brest and Avignon carried out labeling actions in supermarkets to protest against the unfair competition of Moroccan tomatoes that are over-represented on the shelves. The farmers believe that this situation is largely favored by inoperative customs agreements and insufficient legislation on information regarding the origin of fruits and vegetables.

In Agen, around ten producers put “Morocco” stickers on tomatoes in a local supermarket to raise awareness among consumers and highlight French production. Nathalie Binda, a farmer from Lot-et-Garonne, expressed disappointment that the origin of cherry tomatoes is often marked in very small letters on the packaging, making it difficult for consumers to identify the origin.

Meanwhile, in Rennes, farmers from the region also protested the presence of imported tomatoes, including those from Morocco, on the shelves. They point out the lack of information about traceability and denounce the impact of free trade agreements that allow for the importation of products with little to no customs duties. Similar actions were carried out by farmers in Brest, highlighting the need to address unfair competition, low labor costs and use of banned pesticides in some countries.

Overall, these farmers aim to inform consumers about supporting local produce and advocating for greater transparency in labeling and legislation regarding food origins while raising awareness about