Organic crops keep getting stronger in Spain
With 2.3 million hectares of land farmed organically in 2018, Spain is the first country in the EU and the fourth at world level. It is the world’s leading producer of organic olive oil and wine and the world’s second largest producer of organic citrus fruits and pulses.
According to the 2018 statistics presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the sustainable growth trend of organic production in Spain is confirmed. Spain is the first country in the EU and the fourth in the world with an area dedicated to organic crops of 2.246 million ha, 7.9% more than the previous year. The figures point out to an average annual growth trend of 7% in the organic area over the last 5 years (Fig. 1). The organically farmed area represents 9.7% of the total farmed area on agricultural holdings in Spain.
Fig. 1. Evolution of land farmed organically in Spain
Regarding organic land use, permanent grassland accounts for the biggest share (50%), with an increase of 9% compared to 2017 (Fig. 2), 25% is used to grow arable crops (+4%) and another 25% to grow permanent crops (+8%) (Fig. 3).
By region, Andalucía has 45.6% of all land farmed organically, followed by Castilla-La Mancha (18.39%) and Cataluña (9.38%) (Fig. 4).
In 2018, there were 46,463 operators registered; this is increase of 5.6% compared to 2017.
The number of animal farms reached 7,923 (+2%), with specific important growth in dairy cows and sheep, and poultry (Fig. 5).
A sector, which has achieved great growth, was aquaculture. In 2018, 6,330 tons were produced, 40% more than in the previous year (Fig. 6).
Source: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación