Chahid Elhafed (Sahrawi Republic) 26 July 2025 (SPS)- The Sahrawi Observatory for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (SONREP) issued a Press Release yesterday condemning the misrepresentation of agricultural products from occupied Western Sahara as "Moroccan" in European Union markets.
The press release responds to newly documented cases—particularly in Spain—of cherry tomatoes and melons grown in the Dakhla region being sold under false labeling, with major retailers such as Carrefour implicated.
This deliberate mislabeling not only misleads consumers but directly violates EU laws on product origin and contradicts binding rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which clearly distinguish Western Sahara as a separate and non-consenting territory under international law.
Following is the full text of the Press Release:
SONREP Condemns Mislabeling of Agricultural Products from Occupied Western Sahara as "Moroccan" in European Markets
25 July 2025
The Sahrawi Observatory for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (SONREP) expresses its deep concern over recently documented cases of misleading commercial practices involving the marketing of agricultural products originating from the occupied territory of Western Sahara in European markets—particularly in Spain—under the false label of "Moroccan product." These actions constitute a clear violation of EU legislation and binding rulings of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
The Spanish agricultural union COAG and the consumer rights association CECU have filed formal complaints with the relevant authorities, supported by evidence implicating major retail chains—most notably Carrefour—in the marketing of cherry tomatoes and Melon produced in the Dakhla as Moroccan products. This practice breaches EU rules on origin labeling and consumer protection, undermining the transparency consumers are entitled to.
The Court of Justice of the European Union has consistently reaffirmed, most recently in its judgment of 4 October 2024, that Western Sahara is a territory distinct and separate from Morocco, and therefore cannot be included in EU-Morocco agreements without the explicit and prior consent of the Sahrawi people—consent that has never been granted.
According to official data, export-oriented agriculture in the occupied parts of Western Sahara has expanded significantly. In 2020 alone, 1,300 hectares were cultivated—900 hectares of which were located in the Dakhla region. That year, production reached an estimated 100,000 tons, 66.7% of which was exported to Europe, generating approximately €79.5 million in revenue and circumventing more than €8.9 million in customs duties. These products are not shipped directly from Western Sahara but are instead transported to packing facilities in Agadir, Morocco, before being exported to European markets—an intentional tactic to obscure their true geographic origin.
In this context, SONREP strongly rejects the legal justifications emerging from certain EU circles—particularly the concept of “implied consent”—which aim to circumvent court rulings and falsely legitimize trade activities rooted in occupation.
Accordingly, SONREP calls for:
- Strict enforcement of EU regulations concerning product origin labeling;
- National-level investigations within EU Member States into commercial fraud and misrepresentation;
- An immediate halt to the import of goods sourced from occupied territories;
- Enhanced civil oversight in coordination with Sahrawi civil society organizations.
The persistence of such violations constitutes a serious affront to European values and undermines the EU’s obligations in the areas of human rights, fair trade, and respect for the people's sovereignty and self-determination.
Sahrawi Observatory for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (SONREP). (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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