Aysu Bicer
14 October 2026•Update: 14 October 2026
Hundreds of farmers took to the streets of Barcelona on Wednesday with around 200 tractors, buses and private vehicles, demanding urgent measures to address a “structural crisis” in Catalonia’s agricultural sector, according to media reports.
The demonstration, called by the Unio de Pagesos agricultural union, brought together more than 1,000 agricultural professionals from across Catalonia, said the organization.
Protesters gathered outside the Spanish government’s delegation in Catalonia before marching toward the regional Agriculture Department and the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government.
“We are prepared not to slacken; it is time to say enough,” said Raquel Serrat, Unio de Pagesos national coordinator.
She cited rising production costs, falling payments to farmers and recent episodes of historic drought as factors pushing the sector “against the ropes.”
Unio de Pagesos said agriculture and livestock farming could no longer rely on temporary measures and one-off subsidies, stressing that “basic food sovereignty must be guaranteed.”
The union is seeking direct aid of up to €17,000 ($18,950) for professional agricultural holdings to offset the effects of the war in the Middle East.
It has also urged the Spanish central government to reduce taxes on agricultural diesel and value-added tax (VAT) on agricultural production, introduce specific electricity tariffs for irrigation and exempt agricultural machinery from periodic vehicle inspections.
The organization is also demanding clearer food labeling to inform consumers about product origins.
Farmers have raised concerns about alleged breaches of food-chain legislation, imports from outside the European Union that do not meet the standards required of local producers, and proposed cuts to funding under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Although no formal meeting was scheduled with public authorities, Catalonia’s Agriculture Department offered to receive union representatives.
Unio de Pagesos said the demands had already been presented through established consultation forums and urged authorities to make “firm commitments” to address the concerns.
