Agricultores e industriales en el negocio del pimentón, 1830–1935

This paper analyses those factors that determined the regional specialization of pepper crop as well as the competitiveness of its industrial product, paprika, in international markets. Thus, it focuses on the relationship between agriculture and food industry. On the agriculture side, it is emphasised the role of cultivators on pepper diffusion in some irrigable areas of Segura river and Caceres valley. The demand expansion favoured crop intensification, provoked significative changes in peasant work organization, and facilitated technological advances in small farms too. On the industrial side, the present article shows the consumption importance in the national market at the end of nineteenth century and the foreign trade in the early twentieth century. In addition, it presents how Spanish exporters became to control the international market in the 1910's in conflict with Hungarian paprika. The role of industrial and commercial firms was decisive in paprika difussion in international markets enhancing its quality and standarization. Finally, the importance of marketing in the commercialization throughout 1920's and 1930's preventing paprika adulteration is reported.