Protección arancelaria, distorsiones de mercado y beneficios extraordinarios: la producción de harinas en Castilla la Vieja, 1820–1841

The aim of this work is to explain the increase of die Castillian supply of flour as a result of the changes in die commercial policy between 1820–1841. Since 1820 the gouvernments of Fernando VII approved new protective tariffs widi die purpose of excluding die consumption of foreing flour in die domestic and die Cuban markets. As a consequence, die number of flour milling factories working in Castille grew up. We have to distinguish between two kinds of mills set up close tho the Canal de Castilla: those with can be consdidered «factories» and those others whose work is near to the putting-out-system. Both plants were owned by a cartel formed by flour dealers from Santander who obtained considerable profits thanks to their privileged position in the market.