The European Tomato Producers’ Group met for the third time last week in Brussels and spoke out against imports from Turkey and Morocco.
Representatives from associations in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland and the UK were agreed on the need to call on the EU to modify the import regime for third countries so as to avoid existing problems with customs fraud.
Delegates criticised the recent hike in the import quota for Morocco, but also highlighted that with the expansion of the EU last year to a 25-member bloc, market conditions will improve for EU tomatoes but Morocco’s access will be more restricted than in the past to these destinations.
Juan Colamina of Almería producer-exporters association Coexphal also pointed out that Turkey is a possible future threat as it has large production potential and the ability to clash significantly during four or five key months of European production.
The delegates decided at the meeting to invite Germany and Italy to join their group and attend the fourth meeting on June 7 to be held either in Poland or Spain.
The group also decided to consolidate its status as a representative organisation take on a greater role in international dialogue, particularly with the EU authorities.
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