Orihuela and Villena will host heightened demonstrations by several major farming unions, including Asaja Alicante, AVA-Asaja, La Unió, UPA-PV, and COAG, as they plan to intensify tractor protests on February 16. The actions will trigger two highway disruptions: the A-7 near Vega Baja and the A-31 near Alto Vinalopó. The objective behind these coordinated disruptions is to draw attention to the regions where agricultural activity is most concentrated and to highlight areas that have been hardest hit by the ongoing crisis affecting the sector today.
Asaja Alicante underscored that in Vega Baja farmers confront shared challenges such as depressed prices, unfair competition, and persistent water scarcity. In Alto Vinalopó, disrupted harvest cycles have become associated with two emblematic crops — cherries and grains — reflecting the broader pressures in recent years. Initially, organizers planned the protests for February 12 but later advised securing the necessary permissions from the Government Sub-Delegation to ensure a coordinated and compliant demonstration schedule.
These protests are backed by the major professional associations and receive support from the Valencian Community agro-food cooperatives. At the same time, spontaneous mobilizations sparked via social networks and messaging apps continue to emerge, adding to the momentum. In one recent action, roughly 70 tractors converged between Albatera and Orihuela, illustrating the scale of local concern. The coordinating body has informed the Government Sub-Delegation that a follow-up meeting is planned for the coming Wednesday afternoon, bridging the La Granadilla industrial zone in San Isidro with the municipality of Rojales, as part of ongoing discussions about agricultural viability and regional support measures. (Asaja Alicante, 2024)