Spanish Agriculture & Aquaculture: Livestock, Fisheries, and Key Concepts
Aquaculture in Spain
In Spain, two-thirds of aquaculture production is private, with the remaining third being public. There is one essential difference between them: private production is typically geared towards human consumption, while public aquaculture focuses its activity towards egg production and/or fingerlings for restocking.
Freshwater Aquaculture
Private fish farms primarily focus their production on rainbow trout, as it is the species that best breeds and reproduces in captivity. An estimated production of 31 thousand tons is achieved annually. Regional highlights include Galicia, with a quarter of the production centers, and Catalonia, with a fifth, along with a lesser proportion from Castilla-La Mancha. To assess their importance, feed mills must also be considered.
A growing minority of aquaculture is dedicated to astaciculture (crayfish farming), especially in the Lower Guadalquivir marshes where the red swamp crayfish breeds naturally. In recent years, there has also been a developing production of eel and shrimp.
Marine Aquaculture
Marine aquaculture focuses primarily on the production of molluscs, basically mussels, especially in Galician waters. The Mediterranean region also breeds mussels in smaller amounts. Semi-cultivation of minor oysters and productive clams (mejas) is also undertaken. There are also crops of turbot, sea bass, salmon, and bluefin tuna (notably in Murcia). Testimonial production includes prawns from Mar Menor, sturgeon, and eel. The production of oyster and clam spat (eggs/larvae) is increasingly important.
Livestock Farming in Spain
Bovine Farming
There are approximately 5 million head of bovine livestock. Milk production is insufficient for domestic consumption and is limited. Meat production has increased through the introduction of new breeds and intensive stall-feeding. Bovine farming dominates the moist areas of Spain and is expanding in the rest of the country.
Goat Farming
Spain has approximately 3 million head of goats, making it the largest European producer. Goat farming is engaged in the production of cheese and meat from their offspring and is primarily located in southeastern Spain.
Sheep Farming
There are approximately 24 million head of sheep, raised almost entirely in an extensive system, supplemented with feed grains. Lately, there has been an increased production of meat and for sheep milk production.
Swine Farming
Swine farming is represented by approximately 19 million head. Indigenous breeds offer lower yields but higher quality, especially in ham. This is typically raised in feedlots, an intensive system, with selective breeding and artificial insemination.
Key Agricultural Concepts & Vocabulary
- Agriculture Market
- This type of agriculture is devoted to producing a large amount of surplus that is allocated to sale. It usually has high yields and high productivity because it uses mechanization, selection of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and typically occupies the land intensively.
- Traditional Agriculture / Subsistence Agriculture
- Yields are low and are used for feeding the family group, not destined for the market. It is typically extensive, with little mechanization, and does not use selected seeds, pesticides, or modern techniques.
- Sharecropping
- A type of lease where the farmer who tills the land does not own it, and pays its owner a share of the harvest collection, as previously agreed, typically as payment in kind.
- Lease
- A type of property agreement in which the farmer does not own the land and pays its owner a fee.
- Land Concentration
- A measure of agricultural policy, implemented in Spain in the 1950s, aimed at reducing the number of parcels that form a farm. In turn, this enables mechanization and decreases travel time.
- Agricultural Cooperatives
- Farmers’ groups or associations which can range from production to marketing of products or some phases of the process. They aim to cut costs and maximize benefits. They can also connect with Denomination of Origin products and foster coexistence within Spanish agro-companies.