On Friday, tomato farmers from four different regions in France took to supermarkets to protest against the unfair competition of Moroccan tomatoes that have overtaken their own produce on store shelves. The farmers believe that this is largely due to 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.
Similarly, in Rennes, farmers from the region also protested against imported tomatoes, including those from Morocco, on store shelves. They pointed out the lack of information about traceability and denounced the impact of free trade agreements that allow for the importation of products with little to no customs duties. In Brest, farmers highlighted the need to address unfair competition, low labor costs, and the use of banned pesticides in some countries through similar actions.
Overall, these farmers aim to inform consumers about the importance of supporting local produce while advocating for greater transparency in labeling and legislation regarding food origins.