Farmers Protest Moroccan Tomato Dominance in Supermarkets: Raising Awareness About Unfair Competition and Inadequate Food Labeling Laws

On Friday, tomato farmers from Agen, Rennes, Brest, and Avignon took action in supermarkets to protest the unfair competition of Moroccan tomatoes that dominate the shelves. These farmers believe that this situation is largely due to inactive customs agreements and insufficient legislation on 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.

Similar actions were carried out by farmers in Rennes, who protested against the presence of imported tomatoes, including those from Morocco, on the shelves. They denounced the impact of free trade agreements that allow for the importation of products with little to no customs duties. In addition to this, they pointed out the lack of traceability and raised concerns about unfair competition.

Farmers in Brest also took action to raise awareness about unfair competition and low labor costs. They highlighted the use of banned pesticides in some countries as a major concern for consumers. Overall, these farmers aim to inform consumers about the importance of supporting local produce and advocating for greater transparency in labeling and legislation regarding food origins.