Agriculture Spain

crop areas farmed in 2 highly diverse manners. areas relying on non-irrigated cultivation (secano), made 85% of entire crop area, depended solely on rainfall source of water. included humid regions of north , northwest, vast arid zones had not been irrigated. more productive regions devoted irrigated cultivation (regadío) accounted 3 million hectares in 1986, , government hoped area double, had doubled since 1950. particularly noteworthy development in almería—one of arid , desolate provinces of spain—of winter crops of various fruits , vegetables export europe.

a vineyard of rioja

though 17% of spain s cultivated land irrigated, estimated source of between 40–45% of gross value of crop production , of 50% of value of agricultural exports. more half of irrigated area planted in corn, fruit trees, , vegetables. other agricultural products benefited irrigation included grapes, cotton, sugar beets, potatoes, legumes, olive trees, mangos, strawberries, tomatoes, , fodder grasses. depending on nature of crop, possible harvest 2 successive crops in same year on 10% of country s irrigated land.

citrus fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, olive oil, , wine—spain s traditional agricultural products—continued important in 1980s. in 1983 represented 12%, 12%, 8%, 6%, , 4%, respectively, of country s agricultural production. because of changed diet of increasingly affluent population, there notable increase in consumption of livestock, poultry, , dairy products. meat production domestic consumption became single important agricultural activity, accounting 30% of farm-related production in 1983. increased attention livestock reason spain became net importer of grains. ideal growing conditions, combined proximity important north european markets, made citrus fruits spain s leading export. fresh vegetables , fruits produced through intensive irrigation farming became important export commodities, did sunflower seed oil produced compete more expensive olive oils in oversupply throughout mediterranean countries of european community.