Widespread Agricultural Protests Shake France Over EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

A wave of agricultural protests is intensifying across France in January 2026, as farmers rally against the EU-Mercosur trade treaty, voicing concerns over its potential impact on European agriculture. Following a large-scale demonstration in Paris organized by the Coordination rurale, farmers have escalated their actions nationwide. At the port of Le Havre, approximately 150 farmers using tractors have taken control of truck access, establishing a large fire for warmth and attempting to inspect incoming and outgoing vehicles for compliance with French and European standards. With heavy truck movement restricted on weekends, only two trucks were inspected, but authorities expect a surge to 5,000 trucks daily starting Monday, according to Justin Lemaître, secretary general of the Young Farmers of Seine-Maritime.

Blockades have also spread to major highways including the A1 and A63, with the prefect of Pyrénées-Atlantiques demanding immediate removal of obstacles and warning of swift government intervention if they persist. The coordination of protests extends across multiple regions, with a planned blockade on the A1 highway and a month-long disruption on the A64. Additionally, an agricultural protest is scheduled for January 12 in La Rochelle, starting at 4:00 AM at Rond Point de la République, expected to cause significant traffic disruptions on the RN137 and RD137 routes. Authorities have urged motorists to avoid these areas and seek alternate routes.

The protests initially began a month ago in response to the government’s handling of a contagious livestock disease outbreak but have gained renewed momentum following the European Union's approval of the Mercosur agreement. Farmers and their supporters argue that the treaty will harm European agriculture by permitting cheaper, potentially lower-quality imports from Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, collectively representing a consumer base of over 700 million. In response, the French government announced a 300 million euro financial aid package for farmers, confirmed by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard; however, this has failed to quell growing discontent.

The ratification of the Mercosur treaty remains pending in the European Parliament, where a closely contested vote is anticipated in February or March 2026. Meanwhile, a major farmers' rally is scheduled for January 20 in Strasbourg to sustain pressure on policymakers. The ongoing unrest underscores deep divisions over trade policy and the future of agriculture in France and Europe.