Greek Farmers Intensify Nationwide Protests Over Delayed Payments and Rising Costs

Farmers Escalate Actions Across Greece

Farmers throughout Greece have intensified their nationwide protests, establishing widespread road and border blockades. The demonstrations, which began in late November and have escalated in December 2025, are a response to a confluence of financial pressures, including delayed agricultural payments and a sharp increase in production costs. Protesters have vowed to continue their actions through the Christmas period if their demands are not met.

The blockades have impacted major motorways, regional roads, and key border crossings with Bulgaria and Turkey, such as Promachonas and Kipi. Ports in cities like Thessaloniki, Volos, and Igoumenitsa, as well as airports in Heraklion and Chania on Crete, have also experienced disruptions. Specific locations like Malgara near Thessaloniki, Larisa, and Thiva have seen significant farmer presence.

Core Grievances Fueling the Unrest

At the heart of the farmers' discontent are several critical issues:

• Delayed Subsidies: A primary demand is the immediate release of European Union-backed subsidy payments, which farmers claim have been delayed for nearly two months. These delays are linked to ongoing audits and investigations into irregularities at Greece's agricultural payments authority (Opekepe), a scandal involving alleged fraudulent payments to non-eligible recipients.
• Rising Production Costs: Farmers are struggling with soaring costs for essential inputs, including fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, and energy.
• Low Producer Prices: Many agricultural products, such as olive oil, lentils, and potatoes, are fetching prices that do not cover production costs, leading to significant financial strain.
• Compensation for Losses: Demands include full compensation for crops destroyed by extreme weather events and for livestock losses, particularly following a sheep pox epidemic that led to mass culling of herds.

Demands and Government Response

The farmers' coordinating body has outlined specific demands, including access to tax-free diesel, a fixed low energy price (e.g., 8 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity), and guaranteed minimum prices for their products. They also seek an overhaul of the agricultural insurance system (ELGA) to ensure 100% compensation for natural disasters and a freezing of farmers' debts.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for dialogue, stating that 'problems are solved through dialogue' and urging farmers to engage in a 'rational discussion' with the government. However, farmers have rejected invitations for talks, insisting on 'firm guarantees' on subsidy payments before any negotiations. Vice President Kostis Hadzidakis has assured that 'the real farmers will get all the money they are entitled to'. Meanwhile, investigations into the Opekepe scandal continue, with Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis confirming arrests in the probe.

Economic Impact and Public Support

The ongoing protests are having a substantial economic impact. Estimates from the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce suggest that each day of mobilization costs the Greek economy between €31 million and €45 million across all sectors. Despite the disruptions, several polls indicate strong public backing, with eight out of ten Greeks reportedly supporting the farmers' demands. In an effort to maintain public goodwill, farmers have adopted tactics such as intermittently opening toll booths to allow free passage for travelers during the holiday season. However, some protests have also seen clashes with police.