Tractor Convoy to Disrupt Major Roads

On Wednesday 14 October, dozens of tractors will converge on Barcelona from across Catalonia in a coordinated protest over soaring fuel prices and production costs. The demonstration, organised by Unió de Pagesos (UP) and supported by other farming groups including Asaja, will begin early in the morning with departures from locations such as Amposta in Montsià, Oliana in Alt Urgell, and Santa Llogaia d'Àlguema in Alt Empordà. Farmers from Lleida, Mollerussa, Cervera, and Jorba will travel via the A-2 motorway, while those from the Pyrenees and Sant Vicenç dels Horts will join the route. A separate column will move along the C-16 from Sallent, and another will advance slowly from Vic along the C-17, later joining forces with tractors from Mollet del Vallès. The convoy from Amposta will leave at 05:00 from the town’s exhibition hall, linking up along the AP-7 with tractors from Camarles, Falset, Reus, Montblanc, Vila-rodona, la Bisbal del Penedès, and Vilafranca del Penedès before entering Barcelona.

Protest Targets Catalan and Spanish Administrations

Upon arrival, farmers plan to stage demonstrations at three key locations: outside the Department of Agriculture, at Plaça Sant Jaume in front of the Palau de la Generalitat, and at the Spanish government’s delegation in Barcelona. The protest will be both on foot and by tractor. Raquel Serrat, national coordinator of Unió de Pagesos, said there is strong determination to express sector-wide discontent, describing the current situation as "unsustainable" for agricultural operations.

We need urgent support. The entire agricultural sector is operating at over 30% loss, far beyond the threshold that should trigger emergency aid.

, Antoni Borràs, Unió de Pagesos representative

Demand for Emergency Financial Aid

UP is demanding direct financial assistance from the Catalan government through the Contingency Fund, with payments scaled by farm size. The proposed aid includes:

  • Up to €17,000 for professional farms with at least one full agricultural work unit (UTA)
  • €12,750 for farms with 0.75 to less than one UTA
  • €8,500 for farms with 0.5 to less than 0.75 UTA

This support is intended to offset increased production costs driven by the Middle East conflict, climate change, unfair foreign competition, livestock diseases like African swine fever, and ongoing damage from wild animals. The union will present its formal proposal to Agriculture Minister Òscar Ordeig on Thursday, ahead of an emergency agricultural roundtable scheduled for Monday. UP stresses that current losses exceed the 30% threshold required under government rules to activate the Contingency Fund. Commuters are advised to expect significant delays on the AP-7, A-2, C-17, and C-16 throughout the morning and early afternoon of 14 October. Organisers have also arranged buses for supporters who do not wish to drive tractors.

More Barcelona coverage on Barna.News: Farmers to rally in Barcelona on 14 October.

Reported by regio7.cat, ACN, beteve.cat, segre.com, lavanguardia.com, Regió 7.