Protest of farmers in Santander. Photo: uniondeuniones
September 25 will see a new protest by the Union of Farmers and Livestock Breeders in Santander’s port. After a recent rally in front of the European Union headquarters in Madrid, the protest will focus on demanding stricter controls over grain imports from Ukraine, which have led to a sharp drop in local crop prices. This news was reported by Union de Uniones.
The union claims that the mass importation of Ukrainian grain into the European Union, especially into Spain, has resulted in severe price drops for domestic products. Farmers are calling on the European Commission to implement protective measures to shield local producers from economic damage and curb price speculation.
Mass Grain Imports: A Threat to Local Farmers
The Union reports a significant increase in grain imports from Ukraine since 2023. In 2023 alone, 8.4 million tons of Ukrainian grain entered the EU, with another 6.5 million tons arriving in the first half of 2024. Over half of this influx went to Spain. According to the union, this overwhelming import has caused a 45% drop in domestic grain prices since May 2022.
Farmers argue that such levels of import are threatening their competitiveness. They insist that protective mechanisms already in place at the EU level for other sensitive products should be extended to Ukrainian wheat and corn imports. The Union has also proposed reinstating tariffs, which were previously lifted, to stabilize the market.
Calls for Immediate Action
Union de Uniones is urging Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) to monitor these imports in collaboration with the European Commission. They demand swift intervention to prevent further economic damage, which is already difficult to recover from.
Luis Cortes, national coordinator of the union, emphasizes that farmers will not stop until their demands are met: “Farmers will not sit idly by while protective measures are delayed. We will continue protesting if our calls are ignored.”
Speculation on Food Prices
Beyond import concerns, the union also condemns speculation on the prices of certain products made from grain. Despite a 45% drop in grain prices and a 70% drop in electricity costs, the prices of feed and bread remain inflated. Feed prices have only dropped by 30%, while bread prices have increased by 9%.
“We cannot sell cheap grain and buy expensive feed,” the union insists, urging the government to provide financial aid to support farmers and livestock breeders during this critical situation.
