Greek Farmers Block Volos Port, Prompting Emergency Government Talks Over Delayed EU Subsidies

Greece's government convened emergency meetings Wednesday after farmers briefly blocked the central port of Volos in a widening protest over delayed EU subsidy payments and deteriorating farm conditions.

What Happened

Protesters temporarily halted traffic at Volos — one of Greece's main ports and a gateway to the agricultural region of Thessaly — with support from local fishermen who positioned boats at the harbour entrance. The action followed a separate demonstration on Crete earlier in the week, when farmers closed the island's two main airports for several hours. State broadcaster ERT reported that more than 100 trucks loaded with wheat bound for Tunisia were scheduled to depart on Wednesday, potentially disrupted by the blockade.

Farmers' Demands and Voices

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called meetings focused on EU subsidy payments demanded by growers, while the agriculture minister prepared to brief lawmakers as the protests entered their second week. Farmers say delayed payments, lower produce prices, rising energy costs and disease outbreaks have made farming increasingly unsustainable.

"We are not backing down," said 37-year-old wheat grower Dimitris Loufopoulos. "It's a question of whether we can keep on producing quality foodstuffs, whether we can survive in a respectable manner. This goes beyond Greece, it's a European issue."

Livestock grower Nikolas Vasileiou added: "We want help so we can keep our flocks. Otherwise, many of us will have to change professions to support our families."

Government Response and Background

The conservative government has been wrestling for months with a farm subsidy scandal under EU investigation. In May, EU prosecutors alleged that thousands of suspects — many not actual farmers — filed false claims for land they did not own and inflated livestock numbers. Greek officials estimate more than €30 million (about $35 million) in false claims were made, and officials say the fraudulent practice, believed to date back to 2018, may have cost genuine farmers roughly €70 million annually.

The government has pledged to allocate extra funds to legitimate claimants but says complex fraud investigations have delayed widespread payments. Authorities also describe the farmers' movement as fragmented and have urged union leaders to present unified demands and send delegates to talks.

Regional Impact

The Thessaly region is still recovering from extensive livestock and infrastructure damage inflicted by Storm Daniel in 2023, which has compounded producers' financial strain. Farmers warn that ongoing delays and economic pressures risk long-term damage to Greece's agricultural output and rural communities.

Next Steps: Officials have called for talks with farmer representatives; demonstrators say they will press their demands until they see concrete commitments on timely subsidy payments and targeted support.