On Friday, tomato farmers from Agen, Rennes, Brest and Avignon took to the streets to protest against the unfair competition of Moroccan tomatoes that dominate supermarket shelves. The farmers believe that this situation is largely due to inactive customs agreements and insufficient legislation on labeling the origin of fruits and vegetables.
In Agen, around 10 producers placed “Morocco” stickers on tomatoes in a local supermarket in an effort to raise awareness among consumers about French production. Nathalie Binda, a farmer from Lot-et-Garonne, expressed her disappointment that the origin of cherry tomatoes is often marked in very small letters on packaging, making it difficult for consumers to identify the source.
Meanwhile, farmers in Rennes also protested the presence of imported tomatoes on supermarket shelves. They argue that the lack of information about traceability and the negative impact of free trade agreements that allow for little or no customs duties are major factors contributing to this issue. Similarly, actions were taken by farmers in Brest who highlighted the need for greater transparency in labeling and legislation regarding food origins.
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.