Spanish olive oil producers warn of surge in duty-free Tunisian imports

Agricultural organizations and the Junta de Andalucía have raised alarms regarding the surge of duty-free Tunisian olive oil entering the Spanish market. Data from the Junta de Andalucía indicates that between January and April 2026, 75% of Tunisian olive oil imports arrived in Spain without paying tariffs, a significant increase from the 61.6% recorded throughout 2025.

The Coordinator of Farmers and Livestock Organizations (COAG) has formally requested that Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, implement urgent measures to control these imports. COAG argues that this influx of low-cost products is being used to drive down prices for Spanish producers in regions such as Jaén, Córdoba, and Ciudad Real, creating a “war of margins” that disadvantages local growers.

COAG is calling for the use of EU regulations to allow for the suspension of imports and has proposed three additional control measures: the monthly publication of preferential tariff quota usage, the tracing of oil stored in customs warehouses, and a review of active processing authorizations.