They captured a moment for future generations. Thousands of tractors roamed the wide streets of Barcelona, a scene that even seasoned French farmers might not have staged in Paris. On Wednesday, Catalan farmers brought their protest to the Catalan capital with the banner: ‘La nostra fi, la vostra fam’ meaning “Our end, your hunger.” Hundreds of tractors from Lleida, Girona, and central regions like Tarragona and the Ebro area formed a growing convoy, horns blaring and cheers echoing as banners waved. As the day unfolded, the movement’s visibility grew, with streets such as Diagonal, Meridiana, Gran Via, and Aragó feeling the weight of the procession.
In addition to drawing applause and support from many onlookers, the truckers’ message ignited political tension in Catalonia. Opponents used the spectacle as leverage against the ERC government, while in Madrid, the opposition copied tactics popularized by Vox and directed blame at Brussels for sector challenges. In this political climate, the head of government, Pedro Sánchez, pledged to strengthen the food supply chain law to prevent farmers and ranchers from selling at a loss, signaling a broader commitment to stabilizing margins in the sector.
Junqueras joins farmers’ caravan in Barcelona against “unfair prices”
Farmers and ranchers, though exhausted, pressed on with determination, parking their tractors in the middle of Diagonal at the Gràcia crossing. They removed chairs, tables, or even a grill to create space on the road before continuing. A lighthearted note accompanied their resolve: “Take your time now.” They left Fondarella (Pla d’Urgell) just after dawn, traveling in dense fog after spending the night blocking the A-2 motorway. The message was simple: they were not defeated by fatigue, but the effort carried them forward.
“It was exciting”
Along the 136-kilometer route, many expressed pride in the solidarity shown by supporters. People in multiple cities stood on bridges, clapping and cheering, helping the convoys feel seen and encouraged. A young participant in Tàrrega recalled the sense of being part of something larger and more enduring. These moments left the group arriving in Barcelona with a renewed sense of hope, bolstered by the admiration of ordinary citizens who made the journey feel personal and meaningful.
There was a notable presence of younger participants in this Wednesday’s mobilization. Their involvement underscored a generational shift that has broadened the protests across Europe and, after some delay, found resonance within Spain’s landscape as well.
While the number of people detained increased to five on the second day of protests in rural areas, the number determined for possible sanctions also increases.
One participant, David, described the aim of the protest: first, to be seen in the capital so that policymakers would acknowledge that the farmers and ranchers are ordinary people, not distant figures. He emphasized that politicians did not always recognize them in other towns like Lleida or Amposta, which reinforced the decision to escalate visibility.
They don’t forget why they came
During discussions at the Palau de la Generalitat, Pere Aragonès and Climate Action council member David Mascort met with representatives from the farming and ranching sectors. The assembly considered the festival-like atmosphere that had emerged since protests began on Tuesday, while the core demands remained clear: to allow food imports from non-EU countries to reduce bureaucratic barriers, to support European agricultural policy (PAC), to address constraints on Mediterranean producers, and to secure more reliable irrigation water amid drought pressures—an issue that has left many farming operations with only a fraction of needed water.
In response to rising unrest, business groups called on the authorities, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to implement the necessary measures to guarantee safe movement of people and goods. Although many participants view the demands as legitimate, they argue that not all methods of achieving them are appropriate. Stakeholders across the value chain—ranging from primary production to industry and distribution—have long warned about regulatory pressure’s impact on operations at both European and national levels, particularly in the current inflationary environment.