Spanish Garlic Sector Faces Challenges in Two Critical Markets

November 7, 2026 · Tarım Pusulası

New import regulations and tariff exemption plans in Morocco and the UK, which account for a fifth of Spain's garlic exports, have put Spanish producers at risk of market loss.

Licensing Uncertainty in the Moroccan Market

The Moroccan administration has implemented a new licensing system valid for 18 months for fresh and chilled garlic imports. Although the decision does not constitute a direct import ban, Spanish producers are concerned about bureaucratic delays and commercial uncertainties in shipments. The Spanish National Association of Garlic Producers and Sellers (ANPCA) awaits clarification on licensing criteria and approval times. According to international trade data, Morocco imported 15.22 thousand tons of garlic from Spain in 2024, a volume that decreased to 11.28 thousand tons in 2025.

Tariff Exemption and Chinese Threat in the UK

Another development causing concern for Spanish producers is occurring in the UK market. The UK plans to temporarily suspend import duties on products including garlic from November 26, 2026, until the end of 2028. The aim is to remove the current 8% customs duty and an additional 100 pounds sterling per 100 kilograms of product. If this exemption is implemented, there are fears that suppliers from outside the European Union, particularly China, could establish strong price competition in the UK market, disrupting market balances.

Critical Market Share in Spanish Exports

Morocco and the UK are indispensable trading partners for the Spanish agricultural sector. According to official data, Spain exported 14.89 thousand tons of fresh and chilled garlic to the UK and 15.22 thousand tons to Morocco in 2024. Shipments to these two countries, totaling over 30.1 thousand tons, constituted 21.26% of the country's total garlic exports of 141.6 thousand tons. The share in Spain's total garlic exports was calculated at 10.52% for the UK and 10.74% for Morocco.

Urgent Call for Intervention to the European Commission

Following these developments, ANPCA has urged the Spanish government and the European Commission to take immediate action to protect domestic producers. The association requests an audit of the licensing system implemented by Morocco for compliance with existing free trade agreements. Simultaneously, producers, who want the UK's tax policy changes to be closely monitored, are calling for the implementation of legal market protection measures where necessary to prevent disruption to trade flows across Europe. It is emphasized that changing foreign trade conditions could weaken the sector's international competitiveness.

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