Casablanca – Morocco has strengthened its position in the European Union’s tomato market after exporting more tomatoes to EU countries than Spain for the second consecutive season. The latest trade figures show that Moroccan shipments reached nearly half a million tonnes during the 2025/2026 campaign, placing the country second among the bloc’s main tomato suppliers behind the Netherlands.

Moroccan tomato exports to the European Union reached approximately 493,327 tonnes during the 2025/2026 season, representing 17.74% of the total volume imported from the main supplying countries. The shipments generated around $1.2 billion in revenue, with an average export price of approximately $2.09 per kilogram.

Spain ranked third, with about 475,803 tonnes, equivalent to 17.11% of the total. Spanish exports generated roughly $1.2 billion, while the average price stood at around $2.14 per kilogram. Although Spain obtained a slightly higher price per kilogram, Morocco exported approximately 17,500 tonnes more during the season.

The latest figures mark a substantial change from the situation a decade earlier. During the 2016/2017 season, Spain exported approximately 755,175 tonnes of tomatoes to EU markets, compared with 403,798 tonnes from Morocco. Spain therefore had an advantage of more than 350,000 tonnes at the time.

By 2025/2026, the positions had reversed. Moroccan exports had increased by 22.17% over the ten-year period, while Spanish shipments had declined by 36.99%. The difference reflects a gradual shift in the structure of tomato supply to the European market.

The Netherlands remained the leading supplier despite experiencing a decline in exports over the same period. Dutch shipments reached approximately 773,449 tonnes in 2025/2026, giving the country a 27.81% share of total EU tomato imports. Their value amounted to around $1.9 billion, with an average price of approximately $2.13 per kilogram.

Dutch exports were considerably higher than those of Morocco, but they have fallen by 18.4% since 2016/2017, when the Netherlands supplied nearly 948,000 tonnes. The decline among several established suppliers has coincided with Morocco’s continued expansion.

The change is taking place in a European market that has itself contracted over the past decade. EU member states imported approximately 2.78 million tonnes of tomatoes during the 2025/2026 season, compared with about 3.07 million tonnes in 2016/2017. Total import volumes therefore decreased by 9.33%.

Despite the decline in the overall market, Morocco increased its shipments by more than 89,000 tonnes over the same period. This allowed its share of EU tomato imports to rise while Spain’s share fell substantially.

The total value of EU tomato imports during the latest season exceeded $6.4 billion, while the average price was close to $2 per kilogram. The figures underline the importance of fresh tomato trade within the wider European agricultural market and the increasingly competitive position of suppliers operating outside the EU.

Portugal occupied fourth place with approximately 175,020 tonnes, accounting for 6.29% of total imports. Portuguese shipments increased by 171.02% compared with 2016/2017. However, their value was only around $136 million, reflecting an average price of approximately $0.67 per kilogram. Much of Portugal’s tomato production included in these figures is destined for processing, which helps explain the large difference in average value compared with fresh tomatoes exported by Morocco, Spain or the Netherlands.

France ranked fifth with approximately 160,755 tonnes and a 5.78% share. Its shipments were worth around $428 million. French exports declined by 13.53% over ten seasons, but the country recorded an average price of approximately $2.32 per kilogram, the highest among the five leading suppliers.

Beyond the top five, Turkey has increased its presence in the European tomato market. Its exports reached approximately 148,411 tonnes in 2025/2026, representing 5.34% of EU imports. Turkish shipments increased by 49.68% compared with 2016/2017.

Belgium supplied around 141,470 tonnes, although its exports fell by 26.24% over the same period. Germany and Italy exported approximately 104,768 tonnes and 68,349 tonnes respectively.

Tunisia recorded the strongest percentage growth among the main suppliers. Its exports rose from approximately 9,473 tonnes in 2016/2017 to nearly 38,918 tonnes in 2025/2026, an increase of 310.85%. Despite this sharp rise, Tunisian shipments still represented only 1.4% of total EU imports.

Morocco’s progress has been supported by several factors, including its geographical proximity to European consumer markets and established logistics networks for fresh agricultural products. The ability to deliver tomatoes to European destinations within relatively short periods is important for a product with a limited shelf life.

Moroccan producers have also developed production and greenhouse systems that allow them to supply European markets during periods when local production is lower. Regular deliveries have helped Moroccan exporters build a larger presence among European buyers and retailers.

The expansion of Moroccan tomato exports has nevertheless taken place alongside growing concerns over agricultural water use and production costs. Water availability has become an important issue for Morocco’s agricultural sector, particularly in areas where intensive production relies on irrigation. Maintaining export growth will therefore require producers to balance productivity with resource management and evolving environmental requirements in European markets.

Competition is also becoming more diversified. While Spain remains a major supplier, Turkey and Tunisia have increased their exports significantly over the past decade. European buyers therefore have a wider range of suppliers from which to source tomatoes, increasing pressure on exporters to remain competitive in terms of price, quality, reliability and delivery.

The relatively small gap between Morocco and Spain in the latest season also means that their positions remain closely matched. Morocco’s lead of around 17,500 tonnes is significant in trade terms but remains modest compared with the much larger difference between the two countries in 2016/2017.

The evolution of the past ten seasons nevertheless shows a clear change. Morocco has moved from supplying just over 400,000 tonnes to the EU to almost 500,000 tonnes, while Spain has seen its shipments fall by more than 279,000 tonnes.

For Morocco, the latest figures reinforce the importance of the European market to its agricultural exports. The country has increased its share despite a decline in overall EU tomato imports, while several traditional suppliers have reduced their shipments.

The 2025/2026 season therefore marks another step in the changing distribution of tomato supply across Europe. The Netherlands remains the largest supplier, but Morocco has now maintained second place ahead of Spain for two consecutive seasons. With exports approaching 500,000 tonnes and revenues of around $1.2 billion, Moroccan tomatoes have become a substantial component of the European fresh produce market.