Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Agriculture sector in Spain - statistics & facts
Agriculture is one of the most ancient livelihoods, and it still plays a significant role in some parts of the world. In the past, Spain was an agrarian country until the second half of the 20th century, when agriculture was the predominant source of the country's economy. However, agricultural mechanization reduced employment significantly and caused rural depopulation. As people moved to cities, other sectors, such as the services industry, hugely developed.
As a result, agriculture stopped being the principal economic activity in the country and nowadays and in 2021 it only represented 2.61% of Spanish Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this, the long agricultural tradition continues to be notable in Spanish rural society and some economic activities such as foreign trade.
Although cereal crops had the second-highest production volume in 2021, they were also the most imported agricultural product by Spain in 2022. On the other hand, exports that year were led by the fruits and vegetables, that have European countries such as France or Germany as the main destinations. Moreover, the foreign trade in the agricultural sector generates a surplus of almost 14 billion euros in Spain.
As a result, agriculture stopped being the principal economic activity in the country and nowadays and in 2021 it only represented 2.61% of Spanish Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite this, the long agricultural tradition continues to be notable in Spanish rural society and some economic activities such as foreign trade.
Agricultural production
In 2021, the agricultural production value in Spain exceeded 56 billion euros, with flagship products such as wine or olive oil, among others. As a matter of fact, grapevine was the type of crop with the highest production agrarian volume that year with more than 37 million tons, followed by cereals.Although cereal crops had the second-highest production volume in 2021, they were also the most imported agricultural product by Spain in 2022. On the other hand, exports that year were led by the fruits and vegetables, that have European countries such as France or Germany as the main destinations. Moreover, the foreign trade in the agricultural sector generates a surplus of almost 14 billion euros in Spain.
Andalusia, Spain's leading agricultural region
Andalusia ranked as the region with the largest cropland area with 3.6 million hectares in 2021. Castille-La Mancha and Castille and Leon followed second and third, respectively. Andalusia also leads the Spanish agricultural production value, far ahead of the other autonomous communities. In addition, the southern region also heads the production and area of organic farming, in which Spain is the leading European country.
