Agriculture, livestock, fishing and tourism

Historically, the predominant economic activity has been agriculture, marked in its previous phase by the export of sugar cane, later by the cultivation of cochineal and tomatoes abroad, as well as the production of various grains for local supply. As for livestock, goats and sheep stood out, although they were of little importance. Currently, the artisanal production of goat cheese is the predominant activity in this sector, with the Municipality having a series of artisanal cheese factories spread throughout the Municipality.

Currently, traditional crops, intended for domestic consumption, and livestock have been relegated to marginal areas, where small property and dry land predominate. On the contrary, the best lands, located at the bottom of the Valley, are dedicated to the cultivation of tropical trees and fruits (mangoes, orange trees, papayas, coffee, avocados,...) as well as various horticultural products.

The scarcity of water and the development of urban development pose serious problems for agriculture, since the old springs that covered the needs are now dry, giving way to tertiary activities, especially hotels and restaurants, as a result of the tourist development experienced on the Island.

Fishing activity, located in Puerto de Las Nieves, was also important until a few years ago, but is currently in decline, and mainly supplies local consumption in the region. Only a small percentage of the population of this municipality is dedicated to this activity.

The construction of the port with a commercial – fishing – sports orientation, has turned the Villa into the most important maritime communication route between Gran Canaria and the island of Tenerife.

On the other hand, rural tourism is booming in this area, where there is a territory of great natural wealth, characterized by a varied and contrasting landscape, combined with livestock, artisan and agricultural practices. Currently there are a series of houses dedicated to rural tourism spread throughout the municipality between: the Agaete Valley, the Risco neighborhood and the town center, which together with four hotel establishments, make a total of approximately 270 tourist places.

Crafts and Ethnographic Heritage: historical reference

The various economic activities that have been developed in Agaete have given rise to a rich ethnographic heritage worthy of mention. Agricultural activity has used dams, water and wind mills for grain, threshing floors, warehouses, wells, irrigation ditches and ponds; fishing activity has used the most varied arts such as traps, traverses, and guelderas; livestock activity has left immovable assets such as sheds, caves, corrals and other structures such as wash houses, lime and tile or brick kilns, corner pieces, etc.

On the other hand, and with respect to the local crafts, this is mainly based on the manual production of traps, nets and sea utensils by its fishermen. It is possible to find typical Canarian crafts in various shops in Puerto de las Nieves.