Ceuta’s anti migrant ‘invasion’ rhetoric threatens Europe’s food supply and economy

In August 2026, a humanitarian crisis unfolded in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco’s northern coast. Over the course of two days, 72,000 migrants crossed into Spain, with more than 100 losing their lives during the perilous journey. The majority of those who made it soon returned to Morocco, but approximately 5,000 remain in Ceuta, many of them unaccompanied minors in a precarious legal situation.

Spain’s far-right Vox party and Italian President Giorgia Meloni have capitalized on the crisis to fuel racism and xenophobia, with Meloni defiantly declaring Italy’s stance on illegal immigration. This sentiment is echoed across Europe, particularly within the European Parliament, where the EU’s Return Regulation, which includes detaining migrants in offshore centers for up to two years before deportation, was passed in June and received support from far-right MEPs.

Despite the rhetoric, harsh migratory policies harm migrants and their families, as well as national economies, productivity, nutrition, and health. The Ceuta tragedy, while extreme, is not unique, as migrants worldwide are increasingly used as political pawns. Our FOODCIRCUITS research project reveals the often-overlooked role of migrant farmworkers in Europe’s food supply, highlighting their essential contributions to the Spanish agricultural industry, which is valued at 43.9 billion Euros.

Spain relies heavily on migrant workers, who make up about 30% of agricultural laborers, and their labor is crucial for producing four out of every ten fresh fruits consumed in Europe. The recent regularization scheme has been met with opposition from populist right-wing groups, who label it a "migratory invasion", despite the scheme's potential to improve labor conditions and access to healthcare for migrants.