Dozens of tractors rumbled into central Barcelona on 6 February, paralysing key arteries such as Gran Via, Aragó and Meridiana and forcing motorists – including airport-bound business travellers – to seek lengthy detours. The convoy marks the latest escalation in nationwide farmer protests against the recently ratified EU-Mercosur trade accord, which producers fear will allow cheaper South-American imports to undercut Spanish produce.
Organised by Catalonia’s Unió de Pagesos and allied groups, several columns converged on the regional Agriculture Department, where they intend to camp overnight. Although smaller than the 2,000-tractor blockade that grid-locked the city two years ago, the action coincides with rail disruption (see RENFE strike story) and is adding pressure to Barcelona’s already strained mobility ecosystem.
For multinationals hosting meetings in the Catalan capital, the impact is immediate: ride-hail surge pricing has spiked, employees report 45-minute delays on cross-town journeys and some logistics firms have rerouted last-mile deliveries to night shifts to avoid fines for late drop-offs. The city council has advised visitors to use the metro, but entrances at Universitat and Passeig de Gràcia were intermittently closed for crowd-control during the morning rush.
![Barcelona tractor demonstration snarls traffic as farmers protest EU-Mercosur deal]()
If your company is still sending employees or clients into Spain amid these disruptions, VisaHQ can simplify at least one part of the journey. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the service provides up-to-date entry requirements, digital visa applications and optional courier pick-ups, allowing travel managers to focus on rerouting itineraries while VisaHQ handles the paperwork.
Farmer representatives say they will clear heavy machinery by Saturday if the Spanish government commits to “mirror clauses” guaranteeing imported goods meet EU environmental and labour standards. The Agriculture Ministry has offered an extra €150 million in inspection resources but has refused to reopen debate on the trade pact itself.
While the protest is domestic, the collateral effect on mobility – especially for corporate event organisers and tourism providers – underscores how sector-specific industrial actions can cascade through Spain’s broader travel network. Businesses with time-sensitive cargo or executive travel in Catalonia this week should activate contingency routings and allow additional transfer time to El Prat airport.
Organised by Catalonia’s Unió de Pagesos and allied groups, several columns converged on the regional Agriculture Department, where they intend to camp overnight. Although smaller than the 2,000-tractor blockade that grid-locked the city two years ago, the action coincides with rail disruption (see RENFE strike story) and is adding pressure to Barcelona’s already strained mobility ecosystem.
For multinationals hosting meetings in the Catalan capital, the impact is immediate: ride-hail surge pricing has spiked, employees report 45-minute delays on cross-town journeys and some logistics firms have rerouted last-mile deliveries to night shifts to avoid fines for late drop-offs. The city council has advised visitors to use the metro, but entrances at Universitat and Passeig de Gràcia were intermittently closed for crowd-control during the morning rush.
If your company is still sending employees or clients into Spain amid these disruptions, VisaHQ can simplify at least one part of the journey. Through its Spain portal (https://www.visahq.com/spain/), the service provides up-to-date entry requirements, digital visa applications and optional courier pick-ups, allowing travel managers to focus on rerouting itineraries while VisaHQ handles the paperwork.
Farmer representatives say they will clear heavy machinery by Saturday if the Spanish government commits to “mirror clauses” guaranteeing imported goods meet EU environmental and labour standards. The Agriculture Ministry has offered an extra €150 million in inspection resources but has refused to reopen debate on the trade pact itself.
While the protest is domestic, the collateral effect on mobility – especially for corporate event organisers and tourism providers – underscores how sector-specific industrial actions can cascade through Spain’s broader travel network. Businesses with time-sensitive cargo or executive travel in Catalonia this week should activate contingency routings and allow additional transfer time to El Prat airport.
