Agricultural unions and business associations including Asaja, COAG, UPA, and Agrifood Cooperatives, alongside FIAB, Aecoc, ACES, Anged, Asedas, Cedecarne, Fedepesca, and sectors linked to hospitality and restoration, collectively warn that the agri-food system cannot absorb another transport stoppage along major roadways. This concern was voiced in a joint statement, underscoring the vulnerability of both the agricultural supply chain and the broader economy when transportation falters.
In particular, the agro-food network has expressed “maximum concern” about the possible repetition of disruptions that previously affected the supply of essential food products in March, describing the potential fallout as serious. A fresh transport strike could impact the operations of companies and the choices available to consumers, creating ripple effects through contact-intensive consumer sectors and rural suppliers alike.
As a result, they warned that any renewed stoppage would place many industry operators under heavy stress. The sector is already navigating an unprecedented mix of economic and geopolitical pressures, and a new disruption would intensify those hardships.
To protect public welfare, the organizations called on the transport sector to avoid imposing new risks on society and to recognize the fragile situation faced by the agro-food core. The aim remains clear: to ensure the steady provision of food and essential products to communities across the country.
– The Agri-Food Community
The Carriers Crisis Beyond Diesel
They highlighted the need to preserve a “basic service” that keeps food available to the population, a role that has earned recognition since the pandemic. This implies that citizens retain the right to access essentials at all times, and that operators should be prepared to deliver under any circumstances.
The agri-food network stressed that the sector is in the middle of a summer fruit campaign, with much of the harvest destined for international markets. A strike could hinder the ability to meet international demand and threaten the sector’s reputation, potentially reducing export destinations and harming trade relations.
The situation was described as especially serious at the campaign’s outset, with a real risk of discarding a large share of perishable produce. The resulting waste would carry substantial economic and social costs, particularly for fruits and other time-sensitive items.
Moreover, efficiency in the supply chain means fresh produce travels from farm to fork within 24 hours or less. With almost no room for storage, any interruption in transport leads to dramatic product losses and a surge in food waste.
They warned that further cuts could ripple through the industry, echoing March disruptions where essential products failed to reach factories. The costs of preservation, processing delays, and the long road back to normal activity could extend for weeks, aggravating food insecurity for consumers.
– Industry Observers
Government Attitudes Toward Autonomous Carriers and New Strikes
The discussion also touched on how autonomous carrier movements might influence future strike actions and the broader economy. The risk to the nation’s food supply chain remains a central concern for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public alike.
Impact on Spain’s Image During the Summer Tourism Drive
Food distribution may need to reorganize how it reaches outlets, potentially altering product assortments to prevent shortages. Store closures, worker pressure, and the challenges of restoring normal supply quickly could affect trade and consumer access.
Tourism-related sectors such as hotels and restaurants could face renewed disruption, which would temper Spain’s appeal as a national and international destination during peak season. The strain on supply could undermine the visitor experience and local business confidence if essential goods become scarce.
Furthermore, even in a worst-case scenario where certain cooperatives or facilities cannot immediately operate, warehouse owners, markets, and logistics providers bear responsibility for wages, taxes, inputs, and cold-chain maintenance. The broader network would still incur significant costs and losses across the supply chain.
Against a backdrop of inflation, rising energy prices, and higher costs for inputs like fuel and fertilizers, the sector emphasizes the need for a measured response. Access to raw materials remains a challenge, and regulatory costs plus financial pressure can weigh heavily on production, transport, and distribution. Some supply chains are still recovering from prior interruptions, and a renewed strike would complicate that recovery further.