A potential sanitary agreement between London and Brussels threatens to increase certification costs for Moroccan blueberries. As the primary supplier to the British market, the agricultural sector fears the impact of new regulatory requirements planned for 2027.
The national agri-food sector is closely monitoring regulatory developments in the British market. According to analyses published by the specialized platform Blueberries Consulting, ongoing negotiations between the UK and the European Union regarding a future Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement could lead to additional financial burdens for the Kingdom’s soft fruit exporters. The agreement aims to simplify post-Brexit bilateral trade by mid-2027, but a stricter alignment of London with EU standards would impose tighter controls and additional certificates for goods originating from third countries.
Morocco establishes itself as the UK market leader
This threat of administrative burdens comes at a time when the Kingdom is recording historic trade performances across the Channel. Morocco has firmly established itself as the top blueberry supplier to the British market, shipping nearly 19,000 tonnes between July 2024 and June 2025, generating an overall value of $144 million. This momentum reflects a 44% increase compared to the previous campaign, within a booming British market that imported more than 82,000 tonnes of blueberries in 2025. During the April peak, Moroccan production even accounted for around 75% of Great Britain’s monthly imports.
Agricultural sector concerned about extra fees
In light of this scenario, the Fresh Produce Consortium, the body representing the British fruit and vegetable sector, is calling for a permanent exemption for fresh produce originating from third countries and intended exclusively for local consumption. According to estimates by this trade organization, the widespread implementation of inspections, certifications, and administrative fees would generate additional annual costs exceeding £300 million for the industry. Such an increase in import costs could directly impact the competitiveness of Moroccan agricultural products and weigh heavily on trade volumes between the two countries.
