Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 7, 2026
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleGreece offers cheaper fuel and compensation to farmers to end protests disrupting travel and business. Farmers demand minimum prices and threaten further action.
ATHENS, Jan 7 (Reuters) - Greece promised farmers cheaper fuel and full compensation for future output losses on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to persuade them to end demonstrations that have disrupted travel and hit some businesses.
Farmers have stationed thousands of tractors and trucks across Greece since late last year, obstructing major highways and intermittently blocking border crossings to protest high production costs and delays in farm aid payments.
The centre-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, under fire over a farm aid corruption scandal, has urged farmers to halt the blockades and join talks.
But farmers have threatened more action unless their demands, including minimum prices for their products, are met.
Greek ministers admitted that while payments started a month later last year, in November, as EU approval was needed following the farm aid scandal, farmers got 3.82 billion euros ($4.46 billion) in aid and other payments, a 13% rise over 2024.
Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras announced cheaper agricultural diesel and 160 million euros in additional aid to stock breeders and cotton and wheat producers this year.
"The government is exhausting any available means, is fixing decade-long ills and is introducing transparency rules to reboot the primary sector," Tsiaras said.
Athens also promised quick amendment of rules to allow full compensation for any future damage to crops or livestock.
Greece's neighbour Bulgaria said on Wednesday it has filed an official complaint over the blocking of border crossings which has caused "serious economic difficulties for Bulgarian transport companies, exporters and citizens" and violated EU rules for the free movement of people and goods.
EU agriculture ministers are meanwhile meeting in Brussels to discuss a free trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur.
The European Commission, backed by countries including Germany and Spain, needs a majority of 15 members representing 65% of the EU population to authorise the bloc to sign the deal, which would still need European Parliament approval.
Tsiaras said the deal should come with "clear and practical safeguard clauses" and fair play rules.
($1 = 0.8558 euros)
(Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Compensation refers to the payment or remuneration given to individuals for their loss or damage. In the context of agriculture, it often relates to payments made to farmers for losses incurred due to adverse conditions.
Agricultural sectors encompass various segments of the economy that are involved in the production, processing, and distribution of food and other agricultural products. This includes farming, livestock, and related industries.
Insurance is a financial arrangement that provides protection against financial loss or risk. It involves paying premiums in exchange for coverage against specific risks, such as crop damage or loss.
Financial management involves the strategic planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of financial activities within an organization. It aims to maximize the value of the organization while managing risks and ensuring compliance.
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