ATHENS, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Farmers in Greece on Friday blocked several border crossings in northern and central parts of the country as nationwide protests continued over rising production costs and delays in subsidy payments.

At Promachonas, on the Greek-Bulgarian border in northern Greece, farmers halted freight transport until early evening, allowing only cars and buses to pass. Organizers told the Greek state news agency AMNA that the blockade could be extended.

At Evzoni, on the border with North Macedonia in northern Greece, farmers from nearby regions planned an open-ended blockade from early afternoon.

In Thessaloniki, the largest city in northern Greece, farmers parked tractors along major roads. Police prevented an attempt to block access to the international airport and briefly used chemicals to disperse protesters.

In central Greece, farmers briefly blocked the Athens-Lamia motorway at Thiva, forcing traffic diversions.

Farmer groups in the Orchomenos area of central Greece announced plans to escalate protests, saying tractors from several towns would move to Kastro on Sunday to block part of the national highway.

The nationwide protests by Greek farmers began on Nov. 30 after the payment of EU-funded agricultural subsidies was delayed in the wake of a corruption investigation, leaving many producers facing a funding shortfall amid rising production costs. Enditem