Across France, and particularly in the Southwest, agricultural protests continue to disrupt road traffic just days before the holidays. Several major highways, such as the A64 and A63, have been regularly closed or subject to traffic restrictions, forcing haulers to bypass the blockades via already congested secondary roads. Vinci Autoroutes has reported prolonged closures between Toulouse and Bayonne, as well as increased traf
fic management at the Biriatou toll plaza, a critical point for cross-border traffic.
These disruptions don't stop at the border: Spain has closed access to heavy goods vehicles at Biriatou, immobilizing trucks and increasing the economic pressure on international transport, which is reporting colossal daily losses. Spanish and French professional organizations are calling for urgent action to guarantee the free movement of goods.
For French haulers, the impact is immediate: delivery times extended by 20 to 30%, order postponements, and delivery cancellations. Fresh produce remains the primary concern, as any prolonged downtime results in significant losses for producers and logistics providers. Some drivers report days spent on unexpected secondary roads, encountering traffic jams, risk of accidents, and passing through villages that have become bottlenecks.
These actions stem from the management of lumpy skin disease (LSD) and opposition to trade agreements deemed unfavorable, such as the one between the EU and Mercosur. Farmers denounce overly drastic health measures, including the systematic culling of herds, and a lack of protection against international competition. The mobilization continues, and some are already announcing new surprise actions before Christmas.
As the holiday season approaches and a weekend classified as difficult by Bison Futé (the French traffic information service) is forecast, the situation remains uncertain. Between agricultural tensions, congested traffic, and strained supply chains, the coming days will reveal whether the blockades intensify or if a lull will allow the country to approach the holidays without major disruptions.