Greek farmers widen border blockades
Protests over delayed EU aid cause severe trade disruption
Long lines of transport trucks formed at Greece’s northern borders as farmers intensified nationwide blockades over delayed EU aid payments, causing major disruptions to cross-border trade and domestic travel. At the Promachonas crossing with Bulgaria, convoys of lorries stretched for kilometres while farmers parked tractors to allow only passenger vehicles through; similar blockades targeted crossings with North Macedonia and key domestic junctions. The protests, now in their second week, respond to a shortfall of more than €600 million in EU and other agricultural payments, delays attributed to ongoing audits sparked by a corruption probe into alleged falsified land ownership by some claimants and complicit state employees.
The stalled disbursements come amid a difficult season for producers: an outbreak of sheep pox, floods and drought this year have added pressure on farmers and stock breeders already facing rising input and fuel costs. Demonstrators have deployed thousands of tractors and trucks in dozens of locations, occupying sites including a local government office in Heraklion and, earlier, the island’s airport — actions that prompted cancellations and local disruption. Tourism operators reported cancellations and frustrated travellers anxious about reaching destinations, while some organized school trips were allowed through.
Authorities have urged dialogue and called on the protesters to lift blockades affecting essential goods; the government acknowledged payment delays and said additional aid would arrive this month as part of a total €3.7 billion in support for the year. Farmers, however, have insisted they will continue pressure until concrete commitments are secured and have threatened to widen action. Transport companies and regional trade associations warned that prolonged stoppages risk spoiling perishables, increasing costs and triggering supply-chain knock-on effects across the Balkans. Drivers stuck in the queues described long waits, rationing food and sleeping in cabs as logistics firms and neighbouring countries appealed for a swift resolution to avert further economic fallout.
