The Spanish government refuses to suspend the trade agreement with Morocco despite the crisis in Ceuta. An organization representing 11,000 farmers, in turn, accuses Madrid and Brussels of sacrificing European producers, particularly in the face of Moroccan tomatoes.
Moroccan watermelon is once again in the crosshairs of Spanish farmers. Imports from Morocco increased by 14% in the first half of the year and are accused of having contributed to driving prices down in Spain to just 24 cents per kilo.
Algerians now account for 42% of irregular arrivals recorded on the Western Mediterranean route to Spain, compared with 22% for Moroccans. This reversal has been confirmed by the International Organization for Migration.
She had arrived legally in Spain with a contract to pick strawberries. After leaving her 6- and 4-year-old children in Morocco, this worker told CNN that she ended up homeless following a dispute with her employer.
The Spanish province of Almería sold more watermelons than Morocco in the European Union between January and May 2026. Moroccan exports are declining sharply in volume, but remain better valued.
Operation Marhaba 2026 confirms a sharp decline in crossings linking Motril to Moroccan ports. While certain routes to Tangier and Nador are holding steady or advancing, connections departing from the Andalusian port are recording spectacular drops since the start of summer.
Spain is concerned about Morocco’s growing power in the global tomato market. In less than ten years, Moroccan exports have increased significantly , while Spanish sales have plummeted, to the point of shifting the balance between the two countries.
A fugitive wanted by French authorities for a homicide committed with a firearm in Montbéliard was arrested in Almería, in southern Spain. According to the Spanish National Police, he was attempting to leave Europe to reach Morocco.
Every summer, many MREs drive across Spain to reach Morocco. Most head to Algeciras, Almería or Motril, ports well known to travelers. But another option deserves consideration: Tarifa.
To streamline summer departures, Almería port is deploying 1.6 million euros. The arrival of a new shipping company to Nador comes with close diplomatic coordination to optimize this massive flow of travelers to Morocco.
Spanish agriculture, long the queen of Europe, sees its supremacy falter. Facing rising labor costs, tightening ecological standards, and aggressive competition from Morocco , the Andalusian model of giant greenhouses is running out of steam.
The importance of advance planning marks the start of Operation Marhaba 2026 (MREs). For departures between Europe and Morocco, three specific maritime crossings concentrate the vast majority of advance reservations.