diff --git a/arroyo/processing/strategies/produce.py b/arroyo/processing/strategies/produce.py
index 3b3b5a8a..cc9fef7d 100644
--- a/arroyo/processing/strategies/produce.py
+++ b/arroyo/processing/strategies/produce.py
@@ -87,7 +87,11 @@ def submit(
         future: Optional[Future[BrokerValue[TStrategyPayload]]] = None
 
         if not isinstance(message.payload, FilteredPayload):
-            future = self.__producer.produce(self.__topic, message.payload)
+            try:
+                future = self.__producer.produce(self.__topic, message.payload)
+            except BufferError as exc:
+                logger.exception(exc)
+                raise MessageRejected from exc
 
         self.__queue.append((message, future))
 
diff --git a/tests/processing/strategies/test_produce.py b/tests/processing/strategies/test_produce.py
index 212ac70e..27959ce9 100644
--- a/tests/processing/strategies/test_produce.py
+++ b/tests/processing/strategies/test_produce.py
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 from unittest import mock
 
+import pytest
+
 from arroyo.backends.kafka import KafkaPayload
 from arroyo.backends.local.backend import LocalBroker
 from arroyo.backends.local.storages.memory import MemoryMessageStorage
+from arroyo.processing.strategies.abstract import MessageRejected
 from arroyo.processing.strategies.produce import Produce
 from arroyo.types import Message, Partition, Topic, Value
 from arroyo.utils.clock import TestingClock
@@ -19,7 +22,7 @@ def test_produce() -> None:
     producer = broker.get_producer()
     next_step = mock.Mock()
 
-    strategy = Produce(producer, result_topic, next_step)
+    strategy = Produce(producer, result_topic, next_step, 2)
 
     value = b'{"something": "something"}'
     data = KafkaPayload(None, value, [])
@@ -41,4 +44,10 @@ def test_produce() -> None:
     strategy.poll()
     assert next_step.submit.call_count == 2
     assert next_step.poll.call_count == 2
+
+    # Backpressure if buffer size = 2 exceeded
+    with pytest.raises(MessageRejected):
+        for _ in range(3):
+            strategy.submit(message)
+
     strategy.join()