Meriç farmers warn of escalation, vow to defend primary sector in Northern Greece
The Agricultural and Livestock Association of Alexandroupoli has issued a stark warning to government officials, declaring that farmers in the Meriç region will not allow the “destruction of the primary sector.”
In a strongly worded statement, the association addressed key political figures, including former Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, Deputy Minister Christos Andrianos, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Thanasis Kontogeorgis, and current Agriculture Minister Apostolos Schoinas.
Farmers stressed that their economic resilience and patience have been exhausted, accusing the government of failing to deliver on commitments and address longstanding injustices affecting the Meriç region.
“We are not asking for favors—we demand what is rightfully ours,” the statement said, warning that failure to fully implement promised measures would trigger a “massive and unprecedented” response.
The association signaled a readiness to escalate protests, referencing past demonstrations involving tractor blockades of roads and border crossings. “Our tractors know how to cultivate the land—but they also know how to block customs points and highways,” the statement noted.
Positioning their struggle within a broader socio-economic context, farmers emphasized the strategic importance of the primary sector in the border region of Meriç and called on the government to act before tensions spill from fields onto the streets.
The statement reflects growing unrest among agricultural communities in Northern Greece, where rising costs, policy disputes, and market pressures have intensified concerns over the sustainability of farming and livestock production.
