Daniel Hannan, President of the British Institute for Free Trade (IFT) and Member of Parliament, described UK import duties on Moroccan tomatoes as “ridiculous,” during a UK parliament session last week.
Hannan argued that the tariffs on Moroccan tomatoes are unjustifiable, even from a “protectionist point of view,” given the UK’s limited domestic tomato production.
The British government currently imposes tariffs and quotas on Moroccan tomatoes, policies that Hannan argues are outdated and do not serve to protect any domestic industries.
He urged lawmakers to rethink these restrictions, not only to benefit consumers but also to strengthen trade relationships within Africa. “It’s about showing African countries that we see them as trading partners, not charity cases,” Hannan added.
He explained that the majority of the UK’s tomato supply, about 80%, comes from imports, with Morocco being their largest supplier. Britain’s climate, he explained, is not conducive to year-round tomato cultivation, making it essential to rely on imports to meet consumer demand.
“We only have a short tomato season here, from June to September,” Hannan noted, “even then we still need to import.”
The MP pointed out that Morocco’s growing season, which spans from October to April, perfectly complements the UK’s off-season. He questioned why the UK would impose duties on such a vital import when domestic production is limited, calling the policy “counterproductive and unnecessary.”