Athens, Greece – Thousands of Greek farmers descended on Athens on Tuesday, February 20, to demand lower production costs and fairer prices for their products. The farmers, who have been protesting for weeks in different parts of the country, parked their tractors in front of the parliament building in Syntagma Square.
They are calling on the government to reduce the prices of inputs such as fuel, electricity, fertilizer, and pesticides, which have been increasing production costs. The farmers also want lower taxes and more support for those affected by natural disasters.
One of the main concerns of the protesters is the import of agricultural products from abroad and their sale in the domestic market as if they were produced in Greece. The farmers argue that the low cost of agricultural products from outside the EU, where production standards are lower, creates unfair competition.
“We can’t afford either fuel or pesticides,” Stavros Pesiadis, a journalist for an agricultural magazine, told Anadolu Agency. “We have huge problems like not being able to cover our production costs. The state must do something about this.”
Beekeeper Panayotis Koutsomikos said he joined the protest to protect his livelihood. “My profession is on the verge of extinction,” he said. “We have big problems like not being able to cover our production costs. We can’t afford either fuel or pesticides. The state must do something about this.”
Pistachio producer Ilias Karatas said the rising cost of inputs such as fuel and electricity has pushed them down. “To make production sustainable, you have to spend a lot of money. Taxes and production costs are also tiring us out. The money we earn is also going away, it’s coming to a head.”
Karatas also highlighted the difference between producer prices and shelf prices. “The middlemen buy the products from us cheaply and sell them for seven times the price. There is a big problem there. The state cannot intervene because of the European Union. If a tomato is currently 10 cents, it will soon reach the consumer for 50 cents or 1 euro. The problem will not be solved unless the middlemen are intervened. Of course, the traders should also make money, but only as much as they should.”
The protest comes as the Greek government is facing increasing pressure from various sectors of society due to the rising cost of living. The government has announced some measures to address the issue, but they have been met with criticism from farmers and other groups who say they are not enough.
Key demands of the farmers:
- Lower prices for inputs such as fuel, electricity, fertilizer, and pesticides
- Lower taxes
- More support for farmers affected by natural disasters
- Crackdown on unfair competition from imported agricultural products
Impact of the protest:
The protest has caused traffic disruptions in central Athens. It is unclear how long the protest will continue.
Government response:
The government has not yet commented on the protest.
