Greek farmers in the Evros region are alarmed by the potential impact on their crops after the expiration of a decades-old water supply agreement with Bulgaria. Since 1964, the deal allowed the transfer of around 186 million cubic meters of water annually from Bulgaria’s Arda River, irrigating approximately 20,000 hectares of farmland in northern Greece. The agreement expired in July 2024, and Bulgaria’s hesitation to renew it stems from increasing domestic water demands and climate-induced shortages. EU officials have urged member states to prioritize cross-border water cooperation to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and food security in the region.
The lapse of the deal has already sparked protests among Greek farmers, who are grappling with rising energy and production costs alongside ongoing drought conditions that led to a 30-40% production drop last year. Experts warn that without a renewed agreement, the region’s agricultural output could face significant long-term declines. The European Commission has advised Greece and Bulgaria to explore a framework under the EU Water Framework Directive to foster cooperative and sustainable water management. Greek officials are pushing for immediate negotiations, while the EU stresses the importance of resilience strategies amid escalating climate challenges. More