In Spain, a shift towards pistachio cultivation reflects adaptation to increasingly frequent and intense drought conditions. Farmers like Garcia, who operates a 26-hectare farm in Manzanares, Castilla-La Mancha, have transitioned to pistachios from less resilient crops such as wine and cereals. Since planting his first pistachio trees in 2007, Garcia now harvests between 10 to 20 tonnes annually, contributing to Spain's position as the fourth-largest pistachio producer globally, following the United States, Iran, and Turkey.
Pistachio trees, originally from the Middle East, are well-suited to Spain's climate, enduring hot, dry summers and cold winters. The area under pistachio cultivation in Spain has expanded to 79,000 hectares by 2024, a near five-fold increase since 2017. Regions like Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Andalusia lead in production, despite water scarcity challenges exacerbated by climate change.
According to Mario Gonzalez-Mohino, an agricultural engineer and director of Pistacho Pro, pistachios, being native to desert regions, are aptly adapted to Spain's changing climate. With Spain recording its hottest August on record and projections suggesting 2024 could be among the warmest years, the crop's resilience is increasingly valuable. Spain's current production nears 9,000 tonnes annually, with expectations of rapid growth as newly planted trees mature.
The Pistamancha cooperative, encompassing 51 pistachio farms, is responding to strong market demand by investing in a new facility for sorting, peeling, and drying pistachios, aiming to process one million kilos per year. Despite rapid sector growth, concerns of overproduction are minimal, as domestic demand still outstrips supply, with most pistachios in Spain being imported.
Garcia emphasizes patience in pistachio cultivation, noting the years of investment required before achieving profitable yields. This long-term perspective underscores the crop's potential for sustainable income amid Spain's evolving agricultural landscape.
Source: France 24