SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 26th Feb (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands are presenting their top-quality oils at the World Olive Oil Exhibition, an event that gathers buyers and producers worldwide in Madrid for a two-day period, aiming to strengthen their businesses and explore new markets. The organization disclosed that over 800 marketing companies from 57 different countries are participating in this event, with an expected attendance of around 4,500 visitors.
The extra virgin olive oils that received awards in the eighth edition of the Official Agrocanarias EVOO Competition 2024, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, will take center stage at the tasting and master class event organized by the Canarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA) during this exhibition.
Adopting the theme ‘Oils from the Canary Islands, amidst volcanoes and the Ocean’, these activities aim to highlight and promote the island’s produce. These initiatives have been curated by Tanaira Rodríguez, an agricultural technical engineer specializing in electrical engineering and a master of the art of oil mills. Among the featured Canarian EVOOs are Teguerey arbequina-hojiblanca from Fuerteventura, which was crowned as the top oil from the Canary Islands in this competition. Other brands showcased include Antojo Majorero arbequina/picual (Silver), Finca Soliviento arbequina/picual/hojiblanca (Gold), and Palma Oliva picual/arbequina (Gran Gold).
The director of the ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, emphasized the strategic significance of the Canary Islands’ presence at the most prominent EVOO fair, now in its third consecutive edition, as a platform to promote Canarian produce known for its superior quality and unique characteristics stemming from the specific climatic conditions and volcanic soil of the archipelago. He stated, “the interest sparked among buyers from various foreign countries in our products reflects their appeal and competitiveness in both national and international markets.”
The tasting sessions showcase the organoleptic attributes of EVOO, including its fruity, bitter, and spicy notes. The dry subtropical climate with stable temperatures and limited cold hours, coupled with a narrow thermal range that blurs the distinction between seasons, are some of the contributing factors.
Presently, the olive sector in the Canary Islands is experiencing significant growth, with a cultivation area spanning approximately 538 hectares and a yield of over a thousand tons of olives. Olive cultivation is primarily concentrated on the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and Lanzarote. Noteworthy varieties cultivated include arbequina, hojiblanca, verdial, picual, koroneiki, arbosana, and manzanilla.
