USDA GAIN: Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugar, Grain and Feed
10 February 2012
USDA GAIN: Grain & Feed Oilseeds & Products - Spain
Dry weather delayed winter grains plantings in Spain and the continuing lack of precipitation in key
growing areas might lead to changes in farmer’s spring planting decisions. While there is not a major
concern over grains output yet, considering the low quantity of snow in the mountaintops, the low soil
moisture and the reduced water availability in the country’s reservoirs, the amount of precipitation in
February and throughout spring will be particularly critical in determining final yields. 
Weather conditions
Since the beginning of the hydrological year 2011/12 (October/September) precipitation has been
significantly low in Spain’s main grain producing regions. Precipitation has also been poorly distributed
across time, with very little rainfall in December and January. According to meteorological data,
rainfall throughout fall was around 30 percent below the historical average. It has caused dry soil
conditions and delays in winter plantings. Lack of rains has also resulted in low water reservoir levels
and in the soil.
Spain’s Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has recently announced that the country is entering a period
of "meteorological drought" after consecutive months of low or absence of rainfall. It could result in a
serious drought if the month February and the spring, does not bring enough water to the crops.
The regions of Castile y Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Aragón and Andalucía account for nearly 80 percent
of Spain’s total grain production. Graph 1 shows how rainfall levels throughout the beginning of the
grain growing season in those regions have been not only below the previous year, but also below
normal, according to WMO (World Meteorology Organization). Amounts of rainfall in Spain at the end
of October facilitated plantings but were insufficient to replenish the soil reservoirs. Additional
precipitation occurred in the second half of January, but again the amount of rainfall was too light to
improve soil dry conditions.
Winter temperatures were rather mild during the fourth quarter of 2011, reaching average temperatures
that exceeded Spain’s historical average by 1.8 °C. On the contrary, low temperatures throughout
January are contributing to keep crops in dormancy and preventing them from being damaged by the
lack of water.
The lack of snow in the mountaintops constitutes also a problem since it constitutes an important source
for replenishing water reservoirs in spring and summer.
Water reservoirs situation: Soil and Dams
Surface (Graph 2) and subsurface soil moisture (See Graph 3) is fairly low in the main Spanish grain production areas. At the end of January dam water reservoirs in Spain were at 62 percent of the total capacity, which represent 15 percent less than previous year and 5 percent over the ten-year average.
Impact in crop development and spring planting decisions
According to Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment preliminary estimates, the area planted to
grains for MY 2012/13 is expected to remain fairly stable compared to previous season.
Dry, warm weather in early fall in Spain delayed fieldwork operations to prepare winter sowings due to
low soil moisture conditions. On the other hand, the dry and mild weather in early fall and winter
favored cotton, corn, sugar beet and olive harvests, which were carried out earlier than usual in the
season.
Timely rains in late October improved soil moisture later in the season. The volume of rain was
sufficient for the winter grains establishment prior to dormancy. Following the delayed plantings, dry
conditions have prevailed in most of the Spain’s grain growing regions up to present. While deep
concerns over yields have not sparkled yet, water availability throughout spring is seen as critical for
final yields.
Spring sowing of grains and oilseeds in Spain include sunflower, corn, rice and cotton. Also some land
is planted to wheat and barley in the spring. Should the lack of water prevail; it might result in poor
spring planting conditions and a change in the plantings pattern. Soil moisture content could be too low
for the proper establishment of spring plantings and corn planting expectations may be reduced since
farmers might switch from corn to less water demanding crops such as wheat in the northern half of the
country or sunflower in the south.
Cotton production is concentrated in the provinces of Seville and Cadiz. Irrigation – the reliance on
reservoirs - covers 76 percent of the cotton area, so plantings are expected to remain at similar levels as
last year.
While the water availability in Andalucía, the major rice producing region, would allow for maximum
planting levels, a decline in rice plantings could take place in other areas such as the Ebro Valley where
enough water supply is not guaranteed yet.
It is still too early to assess the impact on grain and oilseed crops, since similar weather patterns have
resulted in good crops, being MY2007/08 the most recent example. Nevertheless, should the low level
or absence of rainfall continue throughout February and spring it might result in a lower domestic crop.
Lack of rain might also affect pasture availability and extensive livestock farmers would need to
supplement their animals with feed. In this scenario, additional feed grains imports would be required.
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