The Catalan Wine Phylloxera Crisis and Agricultural Transformation

The Phylloxera Crisis and the Rabassaires

The Catalan wine industry faced a devastating blow in 1879 when phylloxera, a destructive aphid, crossed the Pyrenees. By 1910, it had decimated all Catalan vineyards. The solution, implemented a few years later, involved replanting European vines grafted onto American rootstock, which were resistant to the pest. This crisis ignited a conflict between vineyard owners and Rabassaires (tenant farmers). La Rabassa Morta, a traditional contract, granted Rabassaires and their descendants the right to cultivate the land as long as the vineyard thrived. However, many landowners exploited the phylloxera crisis to evict Rabassaires or impose shorter-term contracts. This conflict persisted until the Second Republic.

Agricultural Transformation and Growth

The agricultural sector's recovery was a gradual process marked by the establishment of new tariffs and increased production. This growth was driven by land reclamation, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, improved seed selection, the elimination of fallow periods, increased mechanization, and new irrigation techniques. New crops, such as fodder, were introduced, leading to increased meat and milk production. Specialization in crops like olives, grapes, and citrus fruits, primarily for export, also intensified.

Agricultural Productivity and Regional Disparities

While agricultural productivity increased, it lagged behind other European countries. Cereals remained the primary crop in Spain, with legumes also playing a significant role, particularly inland. The most dynamic sectors were those engaged in export, concentrated along the Mediterranean coast, focusing on wine, olives, citrus fruits, and vegetables. Livestock production, particularly meat and milk, also saw considerable growth. However, Spanish agricultural yield per hectare remained lower than in other European countries, resulting in higher prices.

Catalonia: A Case of Contrast

Within Catalonia, coastal counties with access to irrigation and railways experienced significant dynamism, primarily producing for export. In contrast, the inland regions, reliant on cereal production, remained poorer and less developed.