Agriculture is a strategic sector for the economy, society and territory cohesion in Spain. With more than 17 million hectares of farmland (13% of the EU’ total area) and 750,000 farmers, Spain is the world’s leading exporter of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) and the first producer in the European Union. The agri-food system is the country’s second largest industry (just behind tourism), contributing with 10.6% to GDP and 14.2% to employment. Beyond
that, the central position of the agricultural sector within the agri-food chain places primary production as one of the most relevant sectors of the Spanish economy, not only because of its own importance but because of the
relationship and the effect it generates on closely linked sectors, including seeds and plants.

Spain presents ideal conditions, because of both its geographical situation and
agricultural and climate diversity, to become a world lead in seed and plant
breeding and production. A good prove of that are the more than fifty breeding
stations located in our country, which constitutes one of the major plant
research poles in the world, particularly for fruits and vegetables.

ANOVE (Spanish Plant Breeders Association) and APROSE (Spanish Seed
Producers Association) are the two organizations representing the Spanish seed sector. Together, they group more than hundred companies active in breeding and seed production, with a common mission of representing and defending their interests, increasing awareness about the central role of seed industry, and supporting innovation and development in agriculture.