Catalan Farmers' Protests Cause Major Transport Disruptions and Economic Concerns in Spain
Protests by Catalan farmers have severely disrupted Spain's transport sector, blocking millions of tons of goods and exacerbating existing driver shortages, raising economic concerns.
- • Over 40,000 transporters affected by Catalan farmers' protests blocking key transport routes.
- • Five million tons of goods transport blocked in the last week causing widespread delays.
- • Fenadismer criticized government inaction amid ongoing blockades.
- • Driver shortage in Spain worsened by protests, risking increased transport costs and sector viability.
Key details
Catalan farmers' protests against Mercosur agreements have led to severe blockades on critical transport routes, notably the AP-7 highway and the Irún/Biriatou border crossing in Euskadi, significantly impacting Spain's transportation sector and economy. According to the National Federation of Transport Associations in Spain (Fenadismer), over 40,000 transporters are effectively "held hostage" by these protests, which have blocked the transport of 5 million tons of goods over the past week. These blockades have caused enormous delays and traffic jams, threatening to halt operations in various factories and industries across the country.
Though protests on the AP-7 in Catalonia ended following negotiations with the Catalan government, cleanup and infrastructural repairs continue to cause delays. The Confederation of Spanish Freight Transport (CETM) has raised alarm over the worsening shortage of professional drivers, highlighting that a large share of Spanish truck drivers are over 55 years old, with few younger workers entering the field. This shortage, compounded by the protests, risks raising transport costs and undermining the future of the transport sector.
Fenadismer criticized the Spanish, Catalan, and Basque governments for their inaction in addressing the disruptions. The CETM emphasized that prolonged disturbances not only accrue financial costs but also degrade working conditions and the appeal of the profession, posing a threat to the broader Spanish economy if unresolved.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
