Spain's Agricultural Landscapes and Primary Economic Sectors

Dryland Agriculture in Spain

Spain distinguishes between dry and wet agricultural areas. Dryland crops primarily include grains, tree crops, vineyards, and almond orchards. Grains alone account for millions of acres, representing 30% of the total cultivated agricultural production surface.

Cereal Production

Wheat and barley cover nearly 90% of the total dry cereal surface, with rye and oats cultivated to a lesser extent. The percentage of cereals is sometimes low in certain areas because they are used for regenerating fallow land.

Olive Cultivation

Olive cultivation spans over 2 million acres, primarily concentrated in the South Iberian and Central System regions. It is almost a monoculture in the provinces of Jaén and Córdoba, with these two provinces producing nearly half of all Spanish olive oil. Its cultivation has seen some reduction due to the increasing implementation of sunflower, soybean, and peanut oil, which offer much cheaper alternatives.

Vineyard Cultivation

Vineyards do not have specific geographical requirements, and their cultivation is widespread across Spain. However, they are sometimes grown in inappropriate locations, leading to low productivity. Major wine-producing provinces include Ciudad Real, Toledo, Albacete, Valencia, and Cuenca. For table grapes, Almería, Alicante, and Murcia are prominent regions.

Wetland and Irrigated Agriculture

Wet Spain comprises almost 20% of the country, encompassing the communities along the Cantabrian coast. Within this region, Galicia dedicates the most land to agriculture. Agriculture here is characterized by low yields and a prevalence of small farms. Traditional polyculture techniques are common.

Key Wetland Crops

Outstanding crops in these wetland areas include corn, beans, and potatoes.

Irrigated Crop Diversity

Some dryland crops, such as wheat and barley, are also present in irrigated areas. Other crops are specific to wetlands. Key irrigated crops across Spain include potatoes, corn, rice, and various fruits.

Livestock Breeding in Spain

Today, livestock breeding in Spain maintains a balanced approach. Traditional cattle grazing on grass coexists with more selective and specialized breeds, benefiting from advanced selection, feed treatment, and sanitary food practices. Key livestock types include beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and poultry.

The Spanish Fishing Sector

Fishing is a significant sector in Spain due to its historical importance and coastal tradition. The activity gained strong momentum throughout the 20th century, but this progress was curtailed from the 1990s onwards.

Challenges and Influences

Factors contributing to the decline include the reduced size of its fleet, less shipbuilding, and Spain's relatively small continental shelf. Other climatic factors affecting fisheries include the light of the water (which conditions the seasonal cycle in the sea), rain, and wind.

Fishing Regions and Methods

Key fishing areas include:

• Biscay
• Northeast Region
• South Atlantic
• Canary Islands
• South Mediterranean
• Levant
• Tramontana
• Balearic regions

Fishing types include coastal, high-sea, and deep-sea fisheries. Common fishing methods are longline, almadraba (tuna trap), trawling, drift netting, and the use of multipurpose auxiliary vessels.