SHOTLIST:

KRAKOW, POLAND (DEC. 30, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF DRONE SHOTS OF TRACTORS PARKED IN MAIN STREETS OF KRAKOW

2. VARIOUS OF TRACTOR CONVOY MOVING THROUGH CITY CENTER

3. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING BANNERS AND FLAGS MARCHING AND CHANTING SLOGANS KRAKOW, POLAND - DEC. 30: Farmers across Poland staged nationwide protests on Tuesday, with demonstrations reported at more than 160 locations, as opposition grows to the planned EU–Mercosur trade agreement. Protesters argue that the deal poses a serious threat to Polish agriculture, rural livelihoods, and national food security.

According to organizers, opening the EU market to agricultural products from South America — often produced under lower regulatory and environmental standards — could undermine the profitability of domestic farming and accelerate the collapse of family-run farms.

Actions organized by the National Grassroots Farmers’ Protest took place on highways, expressways, national roads, and at key transport junctions. Traffic disruptions were reported mainly in central Poland, Pomerania, the Lodz and Opole voivodeships, as well as in the capital, Warsaw. Additional demonstrations were reported in the Lublin and Silesian regions.

Organizers stressed that not all protests involved full road blockades. “In many cases, farmers will simply be lining up along the main roads in their region,” said Krzysztof Olejnik of the protest movement in an interview with RMF FM. Protest leaders also published a special map detailing the locations of demonstrations, which in some reports approached nearly 200 sites nationwide.

One of the most significant disruptions occurred on National Road 50 in the town of Wiskitki, where around 30 tractors blocked one of two lanes from 10:30 a.m. The protest caused delays near the exit to the A2 motorway.

“The protest began as announced and will last until 3:00 p.m. There are currently around 30 tractors on National Road No. 50. One lane is blocked and traffic is moving through the other,” said Staff Sergeant Monika Michalczyk, a police press officer from Zyrardow.

At the heart of the dispute is the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which would grant preferential tariffs on agricultural imports such as beef, poultry, dairy products, sugar, and ethanol from Mercosur countries — Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. In return, European industrial goods would gain broader access to South American markets.

Farmers fear that the agreement, once finalized, would expose them to unfair competition and weaken domestic food production. “These agricultural protests are a direct result of inaction, decision-making chaos, and a lack of real support from Polish politicians,” the Grassroots National Farmers’ Protest said on social media on Monday, citing what it called a lack of dialogue and accountability.

The agreement was originally expected to be signed in December 2025 but has been postponed to January 2026. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said Poland maintains a negative stance toward the deal, arguing that the delay should give the European Commission time to propose additional safeguards for farmers. President Karol Nawrocki has previously urged the government to seek coalition partners within the EU to form a blocking minority against the agreement.

Opposition to the deal has not been limited to Poland. In mid-December, farmers from several European countries, including France and Italy, staged protests in Brussels, warning that preferential tariffs for Mercosur agricultural products could harm European farming.

Protest organizers warned that Tuesday’s actions may not be the last, signaling that further demonstrations could follow if their demands are not addressed.