The agricultural professional organizations Asaja, COAG, and UPA announced this Friday an urgent call for protests throughout Spanish territory to denounce the "unbearable" increase in fuel prices, which, they warn, places the agricultural sector in "a critical situation."
In a joint statement, the three organizations explained that in the coming days they will detail the specific dates and locations where the planned mobilizations and gatherings will take place.
The agricultural associations emphasize that the sharp increase in production costs, caused by the rise in fuel and fertilizer prices since the beginning of the war in Iran and recently exacerbated, has drastically deteriorated the profitability of agricultural and livestock operations in all areas and regions.
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural diesel reached a price of 1.649 euros per liter on September 7, which represents a 48% increase compared to the same period last year.
The organizations highlight that this cost increase coincides with a key moment in the agricultural cycle, in the midst of the sowing, grape harvest, corn harvesting, and just weeks away from the start of the olive harvest.
End of diesel subsidies on September 30
To this situation is added the expiration, on September 30, of the aid for the purchase of agricultural diesel. The sector reproaches that, less than two weeks before the deadline ends, no Administration has put forward solutions or alternatives to mitigate the economic impact, leaving the countryside without specific financial support before the autumn campaign.
For this reason, Asaja, COAG, and UPA demand urgent actions from all Administrations with competencies and have launched a joint call to farmers and ranchers to join the planned mobilizations en masse.