Fields of Exploitation: Corporate Farming in Spain

Spain is the European Union’s largest fruit and vegetable producer, with exports topping €18 billion in 2024. Yet those whose work sustains this lucrative sector face widespread underpayment and labour rights violations - with some facing extreme exploitation bordering on modern slavery.As Eoghan tells Alan, this model should not be seen as some antiqued part of the Spanish economy but rather in its employment of digital surveillance techniques and with the growing financialization of the agricultural sector, Spain is at the cutting edge of European farming.If you like what we produce, and want more, please think of contributing and making the podcast sustainable going forward:⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/thesobremeyThe investigation discussed in this episode:1. Revealed: EU Farm Subsidy ‘Bankrolls’ Widespread Labour Abusehttps://www.desmog.com/2025/09/29/revealed-eu-farm-subsidy-bankrolls-widespread-labour-abuse/ 2. In Spain, Farmworkers Are Dying in the Heat https://jacobin.com/2025/10/spain-farmworkers-heatstroke-climate-crisis