Finance
Farmers Protest in Greek Capital Over Rising Production Costs
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 13, 2026
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Greek farmers protested in Athens against rising production costs, demanding better government support and compensation for losses.
Greek Farmers Rally in Athens Against Rising Production Costs
Farmers' Protest in Athens
ATHENS, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Greek farmers drove dozens of tractors into central Athens on Friday to protest over rising production costs and tough competition from abroad, saying that what the government had offered them so far was not enough to stay afloat.
Reasons for the Protest
People lined up and applauded as tractors arrived in front of the parliament building. The farmers said they would stay overnight.
Government Response
Stavros Kozoutzis, a farmer from Komotini, in the north of the country, said: "Unfortunately, the summer cultivation period is about to begin, and we do not have the money to plant this year’s crops."
Impact on Agriculture
Last month, the farmers ended weeks of nationwide blockades over delayed farm aid payments. The Greek government says it has disbursed much of the overdue payments and announced cheaper fuel and cover for future output losses.
But the head of the farmers' union in the central agricultural region of Larissa said on Friday that many farmers had not yet received full compensation for last year's crop and livestock losses, while guaranteed minimum prices for their products and investment in irrigation and infrastructure against future floods were core demands the government has not met.
"We are giving a battle for our survival. We left the blockades... but our fight continues as our main demands have not been satisfied," Rizos Maroudas told public broadcaster ERT, hours before farmers reached Athens.
The sector has also been hit by rolling outbreaks of sheep and goat pox with hundreds of thousands of animals being culled since 2024.
Footage from local television showed veterinarians dressed in yellow uniforms spraying tractors with disinfectants before they reached the Greek capital.
(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Key Takeaways
- •Greek farmers protest in Athens against high production costs.
- •Government aid deemed insufficient by protesting farmers.
- •Farmers demand compensation for crop and livestock losses.
- •The protest highlights ongoing agricultural sector challenges.
- •Farmers call for investment in irrigation and infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Farmers protest in Greek capital over rising production costs
1What is agricultural production cost?
Agricultural production cost refers to the total expenses incurred in the process of producing crops or livestock, including seeds, labor, equipment, and other inputs.
2What is financial crisis?
A financial crisis is a situation where the value of financial institutions or assets drops significantly, leading to a loss of confidence and potential economic downturn.
3What is economic growth?
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).