Greek farmers and livestock producers have announced a brief suspension of their roadblocks across northern Greece, allowing traffic to move freely for a few days before resuming protests in early January.
The temporary pause, timed with the New Year holiday, is intended to ease travel for holidaymakers and to give farmers time to assess their next steps. Key decisions are expected to be made at a nationwide gathering of agricultural workers scheduled for Jan. 4 in the area of Malgara, west of Thessaloniki.
Border crossings reopen for holiday travel
As part of the pause, several major border crossings in northern Greece will remain open to all vehicles through at least Jan. 2. The Evzones crossing, a critical gateway between Greece and North Macedonia, is fully accessible during this period, while the Promachonas crossing on the Greek-Bulgarian border is also operating without restrictions at least through New Year’s Day.
Other crossings, including Exochi in northern Greece and the Niki border station, are likewise allowing uninterrupted traffic for the next few days. However, farmers and livestock producers at Exochi have indicated they may reinstate restrictions on heavy vehicles starting midday Friday, Jan. 2.
Highways and toll points see temporary relief
Motorists are also seeing smoother travel on major routes near Thessaloniki. Traffic is moving normally at the Malgara toll station and the Chalkidona interchange, both key points for drivers heading into or out of the city. The free flow of vehicles is expected to continue at least until New Year’s Day, helping reduce congestion during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Meanwhile, producers from Halkidiki who have been participating in a protest blockade near Thessaloniki’s international airport are considering leaving the area. According to plans under discussion, they may withdraw as early as midday and set up a new protest point closer to their home region, on the first “leg” of the Halkidiki peninsula.
Next steps to be decided
Farmers and livestock producers from across the country are set to meet at noon on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the Malgara Cultural Center. The gathering is expected to shape the future course of the protests, including whether and how roadblocks will be reinstated after the holiday pause.
For now, the brief suspension offers temporary relief to travelers, while signaling that the broader mobilization by Greece’s primary producers is far from over.
