Spanish cellulose pulp production faces climate risks from drought impacting grain yields and water availability.
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In 2023, Spain was the second largest producer of cellulose pulp in the European Union after Italy, producing 485,131 tons according to Eurostat data. Climate change poses risks to this sector because pulp production relies on wheat and other cereals; droughts and heatwaves can affect raw material quality and price. Water management is another concern due to decreasing availability. Consequently, industry companies are exploring supply chain diversification and using climate-resilient crops for long-term sustainability. Drought has significantly impacted Spanish cereal fields, drastically reducing durum wheat harvests, as reported by Grupo Gallo, which saw yields drop from 20,000 tons to under 9,000 tons in the last season. While the percentage of affected territory decreased from 35%-45% in 2022 to 15%-25% in 2023 and around 15% in the first half of 2024, significant drought issues persist in large cultivated areas. In 2023, 77.8% of Spain’s cultivated area was irrigated, with soft wheat covering 1,792,228.99 hectares and durum wheat covering 328,997.04 hectares, showing an increase in irrigated land compared to 2013.
