Farmers mobilize across regions as calls for better conditions spread in February
The main agricultural bodies ASJA, COAG and UPA signaled this Thursday the kickoff of a wave of protests aimed at securing improved working conditions for workers in the countryside, with February as the focus. Informal demonstrations that drew media attention on Tuesday and Wednesday set the scene for the official schedule, which begins this Thursday in four locations: Avila, Salamanca, Huesca and Ciudad Real. “We expect a large turnout because colleagues who have already taken part in recent actions will join the mobilization this Thursday”, explains José Manuel Cortés, a COAG Salamanca member.
These protests, organized by the farming associations, followed several tractor blockades in Barcelona on Wednesday. Catalan residents used informal channels like WhatsApp and Telegram to encourage participation and convey their grievances to the capital. “People want to keep taking action, and there are many reasons behind it”, remarks Javier Fatás, a COAG member in Aragon. He notes that both members and others who joined in recent days have decided to participate again on Thursday.
What do farmers want? The key issues driving the ground-level conflict
In Huesca, several tractor blocs plan to move into the city to present a manifesto at the Government sub-delegation, after which the protests are expected to continue. “There is strong resolve among farmers in this region to carry on with the demonstrations”, Fatás adds. Cortés from COAG Salamanca echoes the sentiment, saying, “From here on, the protests will be more regular and organized. We aim to mobilize our members and those already involved in the action to keep the momentum going.” In the city itself, the plan is to deliver the manifesto and then proceed along the roads to widen the protest footprint.
Protests in major capitals
The calendar for the agricultural groups does not anticipate large mobilizations in Spain’s largest urban centers such as Madrid or Barcelona. “In the Madrid region, protests are planned on regional roads on February 12, with a possible mobilization in Mercamadrid. Asaja Madrid, along with COAG and UPA, supports demonstrations in the capital”, according to COAG sources.
Meanwhile, a substantial demonstration took place in Barcelona on Wednesday, drawing nearly 2,000 tractors through the city. Farmers explained the act as a visible plea for attention. “We are tired, but we are tired of everything” was a recurring sentiment. A new farmer participating in the protests, David, described the experience to the press: the purpose was to be seen by the political class, to show that rural workers are ordinary people, not distant residents, and to push for dialogue across the regions such as Lleida or Amposta.
That day, the protests widened in intensity. Fronts extended from barricades on Tuesday to the closure of ports such as Castellón, and cyber actions targeted the websites of several Spanish institutions. Six people were detained at the Granda protest. While there have been no major disruptions in food supply markets, trucking associations estimate that about 80,000 people have felt the effects and industry and supermarket chains have warned of possible disruptions in supply chains. They pressed the government to address delays in logistics centers.
Farmers confront the city: a growing call for national action
Another headline from the week highlights Barcelona’s farmer-led demonstrations, where the marchers declared, “We are tired, but we are tired of everything.” The scene in the city reflected a broader sense of fatigue and urgency among rural workers to see policy responses that address wages, working hours, and the reliability of rural supply chains.
Mobilization in Europe
Across Europe, many farming communities are maintaining demonstrations in line with ongoing concerns in the agri-food sector. In Greece, primary sector workers halted major roadways, signaling continued action, while in Poland new mobilizations were announced. The European Commission, during a debate in the European Parliament, urged a careful analysis of the situation and cautioned against oversimplifying the drivers behind the recent protests. The EC stressed that multiple factors are fueling demonstrations across the EU.
“There are many reasons behind farmers taking to the streets in recent weeks, and because the problems in the agri-food sector are complex, it is important not to oversimplify the situation”, stated Maros Sefcovic, EC vice-president for the European Green Deal.