The agricultural and agro-industrial sector has a particular weight in the economy of the province of Huesca. 33% of economic activity of the territory of Upper Aragon is linked to these sectors. And this has a positive point, since it is a differentiated economy, but it also presents the risk of depending on climatic factors.
In this weight, The primary sector is the most relevant, representing 16%followed by other sectors related to agriculture and agri-food, while agri-food represents 4.5%, according to the study ‘The agri-food sector in the province of Huesca. Employment, added value and foreign trade. Development potentials”, carried out by the Chamber of Huesca within the framework of the Aries Initiative.
Compared to Spain, the province of Huesca quadruples the representativeness of the added value of the primary sector. More precisely, the the contribution of the primary sector in the territory of Huesca is 15.7%taking into account the average for the period 2016-2020, compared to 2.9% in Spain.
The contribution of the agri-food sector is also greater: 5% in Huesca, taking into account the same period, compared to 2.6% in Spain. In total, the “agricultural” sector contributes 20.7% in the province of Huesca and 5.5% nationally.
This weight is also perceptible in the economic fabric. According to this study, the top 10 companies in the sales rankingheadquartered in Huesca, are directly linked to the primary or agri-food sector.
The data is also significant in terms of employment, since The food industry saw jobs increase by 52% from September 2019 to September 2019 to September 2024, increasing from 3,624 to 5,557 members.
The agricultural sector has a representation in employment in the province of Huesca of 18%, the primary sector being particularly important, representing 13% of total affiliates while the agribusiness concentrates 5.3% of affiliates.
Huesca also stands out in the field of outdoor activities. Precisely, in products such as live animals, the meat sector, fodder and flour, the province represents more than 8% of national exports. Of Huesca’s total exports, 68% correspond to the agricultural sector.
However, despite these figures, the sector and the economy of Huesca find themselves facing a series of challenges or points on which they should focus. Among them, the report highlights the R&D&I to improve the international competitiveness and the productivityas well as the attraction of human resources with specific initiatives for each sub-sector or professional. Likewise, the emphasis is on generational change.
The sector must win efficiency in the supply chain and intermodality, in addition to progress in circular economy and in the implementation of collective measures particularly with small businesses, the majority in the sector, in terms of traceability, shared production, integration into networks of business associations, relations with tourism and trade and agri-food tourism.
It is also recommended to “take care” of the sector on the part of public administrations, professional associations and society in general, not only because of the macroeconomic effects, but also because of its presence in rural areas.
