Morocco's tomato exporters call for new agreement with EU

Moroccan tomato producers-exporters called the government to negotiate a well-targeted agreement with the European Union in replacement of the interim agreement over tomato export.

The Moroccan association of fruits and vegetables exporters (APEFEL) called in a release made public Monday the government to terminate, "as of today," the interim accord and replace it with a targeted agreement to cope with European products and maintain the level of investments.

Professionals explain that the termination of the interim agreement would allow them to conduct their exports in April and May at high-quality norms and obtain selling prices that would entitle them to the duty-free regime, under the GATT. They also want a contingent of 216,000 tons to be exempted of duties from October through March.

Morocco and the European Union are bound by an interim agreement on tomato export pending the signing of a wider range trade agreement.