What Spanish farmers want from trade pacts and how it affects the EU
Spanish agricultural groups led by Asaja, COAG and UPA press for a reshaping of how competition is balanced between local producers and non-EU manufacturers. They call for a pause in new trade negotiations such as Mercosur and for closer checks at the Moroccan border to ensure imported goods align with EU rules and the terms of free trade agreements. For the sector, these demands are seen as essential to restore community choice and defend food sovereignty across member states. Yet the feasibility of modifying existing agreements varies; some can be adjusted with relative ease, while others face intricate legal and political hurdles depending on how far each pact has progressed in ratification.
What farmers in France and the rest of Europe want? key to protests
Mercosur, a deal that has faced long delays
Mercosur represents a long-running negotiation. The European Union holds separate third-generation trade accords with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. A framework agreement on interregional cooperation between the EU and Mercosur was signed on December 15, 1995, and entered into force on July 1, 1999, though implementation of a broader trade zone tied to a population of about 580 million took many years more. In 2019 both sides finally reached a formal free trade agreement, a pact that now covers roughly 800 million people. Agricultural sensitivity remains a central obstacle, with a potential opening for Mercosur agri-food products largely dependent on legal guarantees to protect up to 357 European geographical indications, including Spain’s Jabugo ham. The EU would gain tariff reductions on items such as chocolate and confectionery, wine, liquor and soft drinks, while dairy products would see tariff-free access restricted by quotas. Mercosur accounts for about 10.4 percent of global agri-food exports, and the EU is a major destination for Mercosur shipments, with Spain as a key recipient. The Spanish trade balance, however, shows a deficit as exports of fruit and vegetables in 2022 totaled 63,163 tons while imports reached 180,406 tons. Spain is a leading EU producer of fruits and vegetables, and the surge of Mercosur imports threatens domestic growers. Some studies suggest modest GDP gains from the full agreement, but farmers worry about the impact on production and employment in Spain. A few political voices in France, including President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, have warned against closing the door on Mercosur as currently proposed. Andoni García of COAG notes that many Spanish farmers view the agreement as unfavorable to the sector, urging the ministry to halt its advance until concerns are addressed.
New Zealand in the absence of approval
New Zealand remains one of several partners whose trade pact requires ratification from both sides to become fully active. Negotiations began in June 2018 and the European Parliament approved the deal on November 22, 2023, with final approval still pending from New Zealand’s side. Farmers in Spain see this agreement as an example of why negotiations must accommodate sector needs. The European Council projects that the EU–New Zealand free trade agreement could raise bilateral trade by up to 30 percent and push EU exports to around 4.5 billion euros annually. The pact eliminates most customs duties on food and beverage exports, though some duties may still apply during the transition.
New Zealand’s 2022 bilateral report shows main exports to Spain include fruits, kiwis and dates, mollusks, and frozen seafood. Spain’s trade with New Zealand has run a deficit, reflecting broader concerns about how such agreements affect domestic agriculture. The discussion extends to Canada, where the CETA agreement has been in a provisional effect since 2016. Spanish farmers call for an observatory on imports and for reciprocal provisions to ensure fair treatment of agricultural and livestock products entering the EU, using mirror rules to prevent unfair competition.
Non-compliant neighbor Morocco
Some agreements are harder to modify because they are already in force. The EU–Morocco Euro-Mediterranean Partnership created a free trade area in 2000, with most products liberalized and some specific items subject to quotas. Import tariffs for remaining countries generally sit around 40 percent. Spain, due to proximity, is a major trading partner with Morocco, contributing to a positive Iberian trade balance. Moroccan fruit and vegetable imports have risen sharply over the past decade, with vegetables, peppers, avocados and strawberries among the notable categories. The Spanish agricultural sector calls for the application of the same phytosanitary standards, stricter adherence to EU regulations, and a review of tariff levels within the partnership. They argue that some producers abroad may compete unfairly by producing at low cost and labeling products differently in Spain. The overarching message from the sector is a demand for rules that level the playing field while preserving the benefits of international trade.
Overall, farmers advocate greater scrutiny of imports, stronger Brussels advocacy, and ongoing dialogue to align trade policy with the realities of contemporary European agriculture. The goal is clear: maintain robust local farming while engaging with global markets in a way that sustains rural livelihoods and food security across the Union, backed by concrete guarantees and transparent enforcement mechanisms. (Citation: European Commission, trade policy briefings, 2023.)