Spain Pushes Brussels to Curb Tunisian Olive Oil’s Duty-Free Processing Route

Spanish farm groups and regional politicians are asking Madrid to push Brussels to limit or suspend the EU customs mechanism that lets Tunisian olive oil enter Spain duty-free for processing and re-export, arguing it is undercutting prices paid to Spanish growers. The dispute, reported by Tunisian outlet Webdo on September 21, 2026, centers on the EU’s “inward processing” regime rather than a blanket objection to Tunisian olive oil itself.

What Is Driving the Spanish Complaint?

Between January and April 2026, 76.3% of Tunisian olive oil imported into Spain entered under the inward processing regime, up from 61.6% across all of 2025. That shift has worried Andalusia’s olive oil sector in particular: agricultural organizations and regional officials argue that rising volumes entering through this channel increase available supply and put pressure on the prices paid to Spanish producers.

Madrid Calls for Calm, But Political Pressure Builds

Spain’s Agriculture Minister, Luis Planas, called for “calm” on September 14, arguing that Tunisian imports do not directly determine prices on the Spanish market. Six days later, on September 20, Toni Valero, coordinator of Izquierda Unida in Andalusia, asked the Spanish government to press Brussels for a total or partial suspension of inward processing whenever it is judged to cause “market distortion.” Any change to the regime would require an EU-level decision, so for now this remains Spanish political pressure rather than a Brussels decision. For buyers sourcing Tunisian olive oil, Spain remains one of Tunisia’s largest European markets, so this dossier is worth tracking, though working with vetted Tunisian suppliers keeps sourcing steady regardless of how the customs debate plays out.

FAQ

What is the EU’s inward processing regime for olive oil? It is a customs mechanism that lets an EU-based company import goods such as olive oil intended for processing without immediately paying import duties, provided the resulting products are re-exported outside the European Union.

Is Spain banning Tunisian olive oil imports? No. The debate is not about banning Tunisian olive oil outright, but about limiting the customs mechanism that lets it enter duty-free for processing; any decision would require EU-level action, not just a move by Spain alone.

Source: Webdo.tn