Rachid Maboudi
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10.26am – November 26, 2024
The Moroccan embassy in Madrid has hired the Spanish consulting company Acento Public Affairs to defend the interests of Moroccan farmers before European institutions, according to the newsletter Africa intelligence from November 26. This initiative is intended to protect and strengthen agricultural trade between the kingdom and the European Union (EU), while Spain constitutes a strategic gateway for Moroccan products.
In 2023, Morocco has established itself as one of the main suppliers of fruit and vegetables to the EU, with exports of around 1.8 billion euros. Tomatoes, citrus fruits and red fruits are among the flagship products which find a privileged access point in Spain before their distribution throughout the European market. Moroccan exports, however, are subject to the actions of the European Court of Justice, increasing competition from third countries, fluctuations in agricultural prices and increasingly strict European regulations, particularly in terms of sanitary and phytosanitary standards. .
The strategic role of Acento Public Affairs
Founded by former Spanish minister José Blanco, Acento Public Affairs specialized in European affairs, with particular expertise in the agricultural field. Its mission will be to represent the interests of Moroccan farmers to European decision-makers, to anticipate new regulatory directives and to promote better integration of Moroccan products into the European market.
According to sources close to the matter, the mandate given to Acento also concerns preventing protectionist pressures exerted by certain EU member states, whose local producers complain about the competitiveness of Moroccan exports. Trade tensions and the volatility of international markets are imposing on Rabat, with several issues to manage, notably disputes over import quotas or the perception of competition on the Spanish and European market.
Morocco
