Harinas de Aragón. Siglo y medio de especialización triguero-harinera en Aragón (1845-2000)

This paper analyses the long-term evolution (1845-1995) of the Flour Industry in Aragón, a regional economy that complemented its traditional cereal-based activities with a new flour milling specialization during this period. We first consider the reasons for the appearance and expansion of the Zaragoza flour mill manufacturing sector from the middle of the nineteenth century (1845-1880). We then try to determine the reasons that made the location of such a productive specialization possible in Aragón throughout the twentieth century, following the critical situation triggered by the agricultural depression at the end of the century. In a protectionism and increasingly interventionist context, the Aragonese specialization in floour was, when viewed from the supply perspective, traditionally supported by the high level of self-supply in wheat and in the quality of its varieties. Similarly. during the twentieth century, it tended to improve its relative level of productive efficiency with respect to the Spanish average, in such a way that the last decades witnessed the substitution of Zaragoza flour production for the vigorous Huesca flour milling sector. From the demand perspective, the Aragonese flour industry has benefited from its strong situation with respect to Spain`s main consumer centres.