that.Europe Gives Green Light to Western Sahara Products
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Morocco can market fish and agricultural products from the occupied territories across the EU
The Official Journal of the European Union published a amendment to the rules of origin that allows Morocco to extend tariff benefits to agricultural and fishery products from Western Sahara, removing the requirement to indicate the true origin on labels, according to Infobae.
From now on, goods originating from the occupied territory can enter the EU market under the designation of Moroccan regions, leaving European consumers without clear information about their provenance.
The decision modifies Protocol 4 of the EU‑Morocco Association Agreement and grants Western Sahara products the same trade preferences as those from the Kingdom of Morocco. The measure is retroactive to 3 October 2025, following the publication of Decision 2/2025 of the EU‑Morocco Association Council.
Previously, the European Parliament tried to block the provision, but the objection was rejected by a single vote. The Official Journal notes that the rule contradicts a European Court of Justice ruling from October 2024, which annulled trade agreements that did not differentiate Sahrawi origin.
The labeling change directly impacts the main productive sectors of Western Sahara:
- Fruits (e.g., cherry tomatoes, melons)
- Vegetables
- Fishing
Morocco has built a strong agro‑industrial industry in the Dakhla peninsula, where cherry tomatoes and melons lead export production.
Fishing Agreements with International Trawlers
Fishing is another key sector. Official Moroccan government data show that 73 % of Morocco’s coastal and artisanal catches in 2020 came from Western Sahara waters, representing 63 % of the total value of catches.
European, Russian, and Japanese trawlers operate in the area under bilateral agreements with Morocco, despite the lack of internationally recognized sovereignty over the territory. Octopus and other frozen fishery products from Dakhla are shipped directly to the Spanish market, making Spain one of the main destinations.