Fun Facts About Spain's Agriculture
- Olives Galore: Spain is the world's largest producer of olives and olive oil, with over 300 million olive trees dotting its landscape.
- A Wine Lover's Paradise: Spain has the largest amount of land dedicated to vineyards in the world, surpassing even France and Italy!
- Orange Delight: Spain is the leading exporter of oranges in the world, with the majority coming from the Valencian region.
- Greenhouses of Almería: Almería, in southern Spain, is often dubbed the "greenhouse of Europe" due to its expansive stretch of greenhouses. This region produces massive quantities of fruits and vegetables, often using innovative and eco-friendly techniques.
- Saffron Gold: Spain is a major producer of saffron, one of the world's most expensive spices by weight. The region of La Mancha is particularly renowned for its high-quality saffron.
- Spanish Strawberries: Huelva, in southern Spain, is known as the "Strawberry Capital." Come spring, the fields are awash in a sea of red with these juicy fruits.
- Multicultural Influence: Spain's agricultural diversity is influenced by multiple cultures over the centuries. The Moors introduced many crops like oranges, lemons, and almonds.
- A Natural Advantage: Spain boasts a unique microclimate system. This diversity allows for a variety of crops to be grown, sometimes even within short distances of each other!
- Historic Vineyards: Some vineyards in Spain are hundreds of years old, particularly in the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. These ancient vines contribute to the rich flavors and complexities of Spanish wines.
- Sustainable Farming: Spain is increasingly focusing on sustainable and organic farming practices, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.
Info About Spain's Agriculture
Spain, located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe, boasts a rich history, diverse culture, and a strong agricultural industry. With its Mediterranean climate, Spain offers optimal conditions for a wide range of crops, including an array of fruit crops.
GDP contribution:
agriculture, which includes fruit production, makes up about 2.6% of Spain's GDP.
Fruits grown in 1000 tones
- Grapes: 1318.1t
- Melon: 701.4t
- Oranges: 648.3t
- Apples: 490.9t
- Nectarine 441.3t
- Banana: 417.6t
- Strawberry: 360.8t
- Pear: 308.1t
- Grapes: 304t
- Plum: 181t
Fruits grown and percentage:
- Grapes: 25.49%
- Peach: 13.57%
- Melon: 12.54%
- Apples: 9.49%
- Nectarine: 8.53%
- Banana: 8.08%
- Strawberry: 6.98%
- Pear:5.96%
- Grapes: 5.88%
- Plum: 3.50%
Territory and population involved with agriculture:
Approximately 13% of Spain's territory is used for agricultural production. Around 4% of the Spanish population is engaged in the agricultural sector.
Fruit producing trend:
The fruit-producing trend in Spain has been on the rise in the last decade, especially for export-oriented crops like berries and stone fruits. It had an average annual growth rate of +8.5% from 2012 to 2022, with a 21% growth in 2022 compared to the previous year. 1
Domestic and exported fruits:
Exported Fruits: In 2022, Spain exported approximately 1.6 million metric tons of oranges, with citrus fruits topping the export list, particularly oranges followed by other types of citrus fruits. The top fruit exports from Spain are dominated by Valencia oranges, mandarins, and mangos. The output for mangos has topped 30,000 tonnes for the season, with nearly all of Spain's mangos being produced in Malaga and Granada. The total fruit export volume from Spain in 2022 was almost seven million tons, with citruses being some of the most exported fruits.23
Domestic Production: Spain is recognized as the first producer in the European Union, the third largest producer, and the second largest exporter in the world when it comes to fruit production. It's indicated that 50% of fruits and vegetables are exported abroad, with some products being exported at rates higher than 70%, equivalent to 28 million tons.4
The export of organic products reached €1.2 billion, up 17% on 2019. Among the organic products exported, citrus fruits constituted 19% and other fruits 11%.5
Annual revenue:
As of 2023, the agricultural sector brought in revenue of around €50 billion. Exact figures for individual crops are not available.
Reliance on seasonal workers:
Spain heavily relies on seasonal agricultural workers, especially during the harvest season of various fruits. Many come from other European and African countries.
Citrus fruit picking jobs are noted to be popular seasonal jobs in Spain, especially among young people from all over Europe. The number of companies in the Spanish fruit and vegetable industry was approximately 1,450 in 2019, which might give an indication of the scale of employment in this sector, although it doesn't provide a specific number of seasonal workers.
Number of farms and agricultural entities:
Spain has over 900,000 farms, with a mix of small family-owned farms and larger corporations. However, the trend has been tilting towards bigger corporations in recent years.
Agricultural programs:
Spain has several farming and agricultural programs, most notably supported by the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Seasons for migrant workers:
The best seasons for migrant fruit-picking workers are spring and summer, corresponding with the harvest seasons of many fruit crops.
Technology adoption:
Spain's agricultural sector is modernizing, with increasing adoption of technology. The government actively supports the industry through subsidies, programs, and policies.
Jobs provided:
The agricultural sector provides jobs for hundreds of thousands of people in Spain, including permanent roles and seasonal positions like fruit picking, farm maintenance, and packing.
Regions and fruit farms:
- Andalusia: Olives, with peak seasons in winter. Temperatures range from 10°C to 18°C.
- Valencian Community: Citrus fruits, peak in autumn and winter. Temperatures of 12°C to 20°C.
- La Rioja: Grapes, peak in late summer and early autumn. Temperatures of 12°C to 28°C. Country's Landscape:
Peak seasons:
- Winter (December, January, February): Almonds, Apples, Avocados, Bananas, Chestnuts, Grapes, Olives, Kiwi, Passion fruit, Pomegranate, and Tangerines are harvested during these months
- Spring (March and April): The spring season sees the harvest of certain fruits although the specific types were not listed in the provided sources. However, it was mentioned that Cherries, Melons, Medlars, and Apricots are grown exclusively in spring, which suggests that they are likely harvested in this season or early summer
- Summer (May, June, July, August, September): The specific fruits harvested during the summer months were not detailed in the provided sources, but it's a peak season for fruit picking, especially given Spain's warm climate which is conducive for a variety of fruit crops.
- Fall (October and November): In the fall, especially in September and October, fruits like Quince, Avocados, and Pomegranates are plentiful
Earnings for seasonal workers:
Earnings can vary significantly depending on the crop and region. On average, a seasonal picker might earn between €30 to €100 per day.
The average gross salary for a fruit picker in Spain is reported to be €15,118 annually, or an equivalent hourly rate of around €7 to €7.27, with an additional average bonus of €141 annually Berries, especially strawberries, are among the top-paying fruits for pickers. 12