Spain: fields of grain

June 2018

The province of Castille & León produces most of Spain's wheat. Spain's output is similar to Italy's and varies greatly year on year due to climate (mostly rainfall). Given that parts of Spain are nearly desert-like at times, I was surprised to find wheatfields at all. On several journeys using long distance trains, I passed through endless fields of grain.

Spain is not even close to being a big player in wheat production.    It certainly consumes all it grows and likely imports more.   Spanish people consume copious amounts of bread (so do Italians). How could Spain develop such a "wheat dependent" diet yet not be able to grow the stuff in large quantities?   Was it that the population grew and outstripped its production capacity?   Without wheat, Spanish cuisine would not be possible.

I have several memories of passing through huge wheatfields in Spain when the country is not a major player in growing that all-important grain.   How strange.