Spain’s agricultural sector faced a Friday of complaints directed at the government, French authorities, and the European Commission. Despite protests, the priority remained free passage across the border in France. In a time when road exports of fruit and vegetables from Spain peak, representatives from farming organizations, cooperatives, and exporters condemned attacks on foreign trucks by some French farmers. For the moment, the practical impact looms larger than the violence, with delays in loading and unloading becoming a persistent issue at final destinations such as the Netherlands and Germany.
The campaign season sees a strong push in Spain’s wine and fruit production, concentrated in the country’s southeast. This period, spanning January to March, offers favorable climatic conditions and does not coincide with the harvest calendars in the north, allowing products to reach markets at accessible prices. The sector notes that this timing improves selling conditions, even as protests disrupt the usual flow of goods to key markets.
Spokespersons from the agricultural sphere have weighed in recently, explaining the motives behind the protests. Several companies, supported by colleagues from Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and France, described the disruptions as unacceptable for both their products and the transporters who move them. In statements before the Congress, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, called out violence while emphasizing commitment to a peaceful resolution. He reinforced that the government does not tolerate aggression in the sector’s operations.
Gabriel Trenzado, who serves as the director general of the Agri-Food Cooperatives, urged authorities to reestablish the free passage of fruits, vegetables, wine, and other goods affected by the crisis. Observers cited this moment as critical for the campaign and noted that outcomes hinge on the day of the week. Thursday tends to be one of the most pivotal days, while Friday experiences a dip in activity; in southern Spain, trucks often move on weekends, and Monday remains a key transit day for produce. These patterns were highlighted by Andrés Góngora, a sector representative from COAG, who pointed to the recurring timing factors that shape supply chains during the crisis. Efeagro provided reporting on these developments, drawing attention to the broader consequences for the sector.
More than 1.6 billion exports were made in January 2023
Fepex, the association of fruit and vegetable exporters, noted that France sits as the second most important destination for Spanish produce and that the month of January typically marks a high export volume. In 2023, about 1.25 million tons of exports were achieved within January, with a value approaching around 1.636 billion euros. A COAG representative underscored that delays in unloading have affected both the German and Dutch markets, and Fepex has reached out to Spanish authorities to secure information and assurances for the supply chain during the disruption. The aim is to minimize interruptions and protect the steady flow of goods to neighboring markets.
Respondents accepted the demands raised by protesters but questioned the methods used to press for change. The call remained for stronger commitments from the Spanish government to safeguard the integrity of cross-border trade. Góngora also noted that some shipments from Morocco enter the EU through neighboring routes, a reminder of the interconnected nature of regional trade and the need for coordinated responses to protect exports and supply chains during periods of tension.