Identification of empirical relationships between indices of ENSO and NAO and agricultural yields in Spain

Abstract

This study characterizes the influence of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the most important crops in Spain using statistical analysis of the response of historical yields to ENSO and NAO phases. The response to ENSO phases is weak, being only significant for lemon yields, whereas the response to NAO phases is stronger, being significant for lemon, wheat, rye and olive. The results could be useful for producers, allowing them to adjust crop management, and for politicians, allowing better quantification of national crops limits.