Newsletters
A Greek farmers’ protest has temporarily closed the Kipi Border Gate opposite Ipsala in Türkiye, disrupting cross-border traffic.
Freight operators and travelers are redirected to Kapıkule and Hamzabeyli, causing congestion and delays, according to media reports.
On Tuesday evening, Greek farmers protesting rising production costs and low agricultural prices staged a tractor blockade at the Kipi border gate, immediately halting vehicle crossings between Türkiye and Greece.
The disruption, reported by multiple local media outlets, began around 7:00 p.m. local time and quickly caused long queues on the Turkish side of the Ipsala border.
Commercial drivers reported waiting for several hours, unsure when the crossing would reopen. Eyewitnesses highlighted that the blockade is part of a broader wave of agricultural protests across Greece.
The closure of the Ipsala–Kipi crossing has forced logistics operators to reroute freight traffic to alternative border gates such as Kapikule–Kapitan Andreevo and Hamzabeyli–Lesovo.
This sudden redirection has increased traffic density at these alternative points, particularly for heavy trucks carrying goods to Europe.
Drivers have reported additional travel time, which could affect delivery schedules, supply chains, and perishable goods transportation. Industry observers suggest that continued congestion may increase operational costs for international freight operators in the region.
The temporary closure also affects cross-border tourism. Travelers planning trips to northern Greece from Türkiye are advised to consider alternative routes or expect extended delays. International bus tours have reportedly been rescheduled to avoid long waits at the border.
Global travel platforms and international logistics associations have been monitoring the situation to assess the impact on European freight flows.
The blockade demonstrates how localized agricultural protests can disrupt supply chains and regional mobility, highlighting the interdependence of Türkiye-Greece border corridors.
Neither Greek border authorities nor Turkish governmental bodies have issued an official statement regarding the duration of the blockade or potential reopening schedules.
3 min read
