Farmers Protest in Madrid Over Severe Agricultural Crisis
Hundreds of Spanish farmers demand financial aid and tariff reforms to combat rising production costs and low profitability.
On June 4, 2025, hundreds of farmers gathered in front of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Madrid, Spain, to demand direct financial assistance for the cereal sector, which they describe as being in a 'severe' crisis.
The demonstration was organized by agricultural organizations, including ASAJA, COAG, and UPA, under the slogan 'For the Future of Cereals in Spain, We Harvest in the Red'.
The protestors emphasized the increasing production costs and the detrimental effect of rising imports on their livelihoods.
They are calling for the removal of tariffs on fertilizers, restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, and the implementation of direct aid to offset the elevated costs of agricultural inputs.
While the protests were concentrated in Madrid, similar mobilizations occurred in other cities, such as Valladolid.
In the capital, demonstrators emptied sacks of cereal and fertilizers at the entrance of the Ministry to symbolize their plight.
A joint statement from the organizing bodies highlighted that producers are 'suffocated' by rising production expenses, low prices, and a lack of profitability, which they argue jeopardizes the viability of cereal cultivation in Spain.
Despite forecasts of a strong harvest in 2025, with national estimates of winter cereal production reaching 19.5 million tons—20% higher than the previous year—the sector is experiencing what they describe as a 'critical' situation.
Many farmers report that profitability remains negative or negligible, raising concerns about the sustainability of their operations.
Pedro Barato, president of ASAJA, stated at the protest, 'For once we have a decent harvest, the future of farming does not look promising.'
Begoña Liberal, vice president of the Union of Farmers and Ranchers of Navarra (UAGN), criticized current European and national agricultural policies, arguing that they are undermining farmers and putting their businesses at risk.
Javier Fatás, responsible for herbaceous crops at COAG, estimated losses of €50 per ton for farmers, leading to a total projected loss of around €1 billion due to low market prices.
The protesters also raised concerns about the influx of Ukrainian grain, which they claim has increased sevenfold since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
They are calling for an immediate review of the trade agreement with Ukraine to impose limits on the entry of wheat and barley, thereby protecting the European and Spanish cereal sectors.
Jesús Manuel González Palacín, coordinator of the Union of Farmers in Castilla y León (UCCL), highlighted a dramatic increase in grain imports from Ukraine, rising from two million to ten million tons, now entering without tariffs.
He warned of an 'unsustainable situation' for cereal producers in the region, noting an 80% rise in production costs over the past 15 years.
Concerning fertilizers, Barato described the EU's imposition of tariffs on Russian fertilizers as misguided, questioning why natural gas—used for fertilizer production—is not also taxed.
In the backdrop of this ongoing crisis, agricultural representatives have indicated that if the issues are not addressed, they will organize further demonstrations.
The sector has been vocal about its demands for reforms for some time now.
On May 20, hundreds protested in front of the European Commission in both Madrid and Brussels to call for a stable budget for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), opposing any potential cuts or merging of this budget with other funds as proposed by the Commission for the 2028-2034 period.
The demonstration was organized by agricultural organizations, including ASAJA, COAG, and UPA, under the slogan 'For the Future of Cereals in Spain, We Harvest in the Red'.
The protestors emphasized the increasing production costs and the detrimental effect of rising imports on their livelihoods.
They are calling for the removal of tariffs on fertilizers, restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, and the implementation of direct aid to offset the elevated costs of agricultural inputs.
While the protests were concentrated in Madrid, similar mobilizations occurred in other cities, such as Valladolid.
In the capital, demonstrators emptied sacks of cereal and fertilizers at the entrance of the Ministry to symbolize their plight.
A joint statement from the organizing bodies highlighted that producers are 'suffocated' by rising production expenses, low prices, and a lack of profitability, which they argue jeopardizes the viability of cereal cultivation in Spain.
Despite forecasts of a strong harvest in 2025, with national estimates of winter cereal production reaching 19.5 million tons—20% higher than the previous year—the sector is experiencing what they describe as a 'critical' situation.
Many farmers report that profitability remains negative or negligible, raising concerns about the sustainability of their operations.
Pedro Barato, president of ASAJA, stated at the protest, 'For once we have a decent harvest, the future of farming does not look promising.'
Begoña Liberal, vice president of the Union of Farmers and Ranchers of Navarra (UAGN), criticized current European and national agricultural policies, arguing that they are undermining farmers and putting their businesses at risk.
Javier Fatás, responsible for herbaceous crops at COAG, estimated losses of €50 per ton for farmers, leading to a total projected loss of around €1 billion due to low market prices.
The protesters also raised concerns about the influx of Ukrainian grain, which they claim has increased sevenfold since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
They are calling for an immediate review of the trade agreement with Ukraine to impose limits on the entry of wheat and barley, thereby protecting the European and Spanish cereal sectors.
Jesús Manuel González Palacín, coordinator of the Union of Farmers in Castilla y León (UCCL), highlighted a dramatic increase in grain imports from Ukraine, rising from two million to ten million tons, now entering without tariffs.
He warned of an 'unsustainable situation' for cereal producers in the region, noting an 80% rise in production costs over the past 15 years.
Concerning fertilizers, Barato described the EU's imposition of tariffs on Russian fertilizers as misguided, questioning why natural gas—used for fertilizer production—is not also taxed.
In the backdrop of this ongoing crisis, agricultural representatives have indicated that if the issues are not addressed, they will organize further demonstrations.
The sector has been vocal about its demands for reforms for some time now.
On May 20, hundreds protested in front of the European Commission in both Madrid and Brussels to call for a stable budget for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), opposing any potential cuts or merging of this budget with other funds as proposed by the Commission for the 2028-2034 period.
Translation:
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