Among almond trees, vines and fig trees: dried fruits and commercial speculation in the medieval Mediterranean

Call for papers International congress

Among almond trees, vines and fig trees: dried fruits and commercial speculation in the medieval Mediterranean

Granada, 20 and 21 November 2025
Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, University of Granada

Call for papers and póster

Send to: jorgegarr@ugr.es
Submission deadline: 15 September 2025

So-called cash crops—a broad and diversified sector whose production is primarily intended for large-scale commercial distribution—are particularly sensitive to economic and social dynamics. At certain times and in specific contexts, they have acted as agents of change capable of reshaping agrarian production systems. In this regard, they represent a key area for understanding the evolution of Mediterranean agricultural history.

The case of dried fruits (raisins, almonds, dried figs) offers a clear example of such transformations. Emerging from a long tradition of production and consumption in the medieval Mediterranean, this sector experienced notable changes by the end of the Middle Ages, in parallel with the expansion of the market economy. New productive dynamics began to emerge, influencing the agricultural structures of certain regions. Shifts in consumption habits, the integration of dried fruits into major European trade networks, the adoption of production strategies aimed at meeting new patterns of demand, and the resulting impact on the reconfiguration of rural landscapes are among the key topics of interest.

This conference, part of the ERC SyG MedGreenRev project (Grant Ref. 101071726), provides a forum for exploring these issues. The topic will be addressed from a general perspective, as well as through the analysis of specific case studies presented in shortformat papers and posters that will contribute to a richer understanding of the phenomenon.

Organizers

Adela Fábregas García (Universidad de Granada)

Jorge Garrido López (Universidad de Granada)