Ecological production now spans 2.4 million hectares in Spain, representing about 10.8% of the utilized agricultural area. This figure comes from Cocampo, a platform dedicated to rural property trade, which compiles data from official sources. The report highlights Spain as a leading organic producer in the European Union by surface area and notes how farmers are adapting to climate change with crops and practices suited to new conditions. The trend shows resilient plant varieties expanding under evolving climate patterns and growing market demand supporting sustainable farming in Spain.
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The study also identifies significant changes in the Spanish agricultural landscape between 2011 and 2020, including shifts in crop mix. Notable growth occurs in crops such as avocado, soy, almond, and pistachio, with new production trends emerging across the sector.
Pistachio emerges as a standout performer, increasing to 49,534 hectares by 2020, a jump of more than one thousand percent. In terms of total area, peanut remains sizable, while avocado has expanded to 15,849 hectares and soy to 1,450 hectares, with growth rates of about 50% and 107% respectively in the period. Almond shows strong momentum, reaching 718,540 hectares and securing its position as a major contributor to the organic crop landscape.
Market demand, both domestic and international, drives the rise of crops associated with health trends and premium consumption, especially almonds and pistachios. In Cocampo’s data, about 43% of rural property listings online relate to almond trees, avocados and pistachios, underscoring the commercial appeal of these crops.
Less potatoes and legumes
In the regional breakdown, potato cultivation shows a reduction, while legume crops also decline. Areas devoted to legumes dropped to 366,926 hectares, and industrial crops such as cotton, sunflower, and sugar beet fell by around 17%. Vineyards also contracted slightly, totaling 933,092 hectares, a decline of about 3.1%. Yet certain wine and cava regions are moving toward organic production, with Catalonia showing notable momentum.
In Catalonia, organic vineyard expansion has continued, as 2022 figures show about 272,883 hectares with a modest year-over-year increase. Over the past decade, the area dedicated to ecological farming in this region has risen substantially, reflecting broader regional shifts toward sustainable viticulture and organic fruit production.
Looking at recent crops, the data highlight gains in several categories. Citrus areas rose by 13%, hazelnut by nearly 9%, vineyard by about 7%, and olive by around 1.4%. Vineyards remain the dominant feature, accounting for more than half of Catalonia’s organic crop surface, signaling the ongoing importance of grape production in the ecological agricultural mix.