Large scale agricultural development: Almeria

• Background information

  • Almeria is in Southern Spain
  • Largest concentration of greenhouses in the world (26000 hectares)
  • Plants grown in greenhouses using hydroponics
  • Produces most of the UK’s out of season crops
  • Produces ½ of Europe’s fruit and veg
• Advantages

  Social 

  • Plants can be grown outside of their normal growing season, increasing the variety of diet for people throughout the year.

  Economic

  • $1.5 billion annual income
  • Low energy costs
  • Additional jobs created (direct and indirect)

  Environmental

  • Region has 3000 hrs of sun and ave. temp. 20 C – no artificial heating needed
  • Less water in hydroponics
  • Reduced use of chemicals
• Disadvantages

  Social 

  • Poor pay and working conditions for migrant labour
  • Clashes between ethnic groups and locals

  Economic

  • New desalination plant built to purify sea water

  Environmental

  • Local environment covered in plastic greenhouses
  • natural water source drying up
  • Greenhouses reflect sunlight so ave. temp. decreased by 0.3 C in decade.