THE GRAPE PHYLLOXERA PLAGUE AS A NATURAL EXPERIMENT: THE UPKEEP OF VINEYARDS IN CATALONIA (SPAIN), 1858-1935

• Published in: Australian economic history review Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 39 - 61
• Main Authors: Badia-Miró, Marc, Tello, Enric, Valls, Francesc, Garrabou, Ramon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01-03-2010; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley
• Subjects: 19th century; 20th century; ago-climatic land suitability; Agrarian problems; Agricultural economics; Agricultural pests; Agricultural research; Agriculture; Catalonia; Economic conditions; Economic history; Economic models; Europe: Economic history; factor endowment; Fil·loxera; N53; N54; Opportunity costs; Phylloxera; Phylloxera plague; Plagues agrícoles; Q17; Q54; Q56; R14; R40; Spain; Studies; time-distances; vineyard specialisation; Vineyards; Vinicultura; Wine; Wine industry; Wineries & vineyards; Catalonia Spain; Spain
• ISSN: 0004-8992; 1467-8446; 2832-157X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8446.2009.00271.x

This paper analyses the impact in Catalonia of the grape Phylloxera plague in Europe (1865–90). A statistical model is used to analyse the economic resilience of 35 districts in Catalonia to this external ecological and economic shock, and to explain why districts in the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona resumed growing wine grapes after the plague, in contrast to districts in Girona and Lleida provinces. The opportunity cost of labour, the demand pull of Barcelona's commercial growth, and the agro‐climatic suitability of land for growing grapes are used to explain the differing capacities of districts to endure the Phylloxera plague in Catalonia.