The Government of the Canary Islands has reaffirmed its commitment to the islands' olive oil sector, highlighting the pioneering work of the Cumbres de Abona Cooperative Society. Minister Narvay Quintero visited the cooperative's facilities in Arico to gain firsthand knowledge of the olive harvest campaign and the production process of their extra virgin olive oils, marketed under the Oleoteide brand.
Founded in 1988, Cumbres de Abona has been a benchmark in the agricultural diversification of the Canary Islands. In 2000, the cooperative introduced olive cultivation, becoming a pioneer in the archipelago. A decade later, it implemented its own milling line, producing extra virgin olive oil from varieties such as arbequina, arbosana, koroneiki, and picual. This trajectory has been recognized with nearly thirty national and international awards since 2015.
During the visit, Minister Quintero was accompanied by the entity's president, Manolo Marrero, and other institutional and cooperative representatives. Quintero emphasized that Cumbres de Abona's commitment to olive cultivation has paved the way for a production with greater presence and recognition in the Islands, contributing to high-quality oils and sustainable tourism.
The minister recalled the Canary Islands Government's reinforced support for the olive oil sector, including a direct aid of 51,875 euros for oil mills and extraordinary drought relief measures that have amounted to 204,279 euros for olive cultivation over the last two campaigns.
Manolo Marrero, president of Cumbres de Abona, noted that the cooperative produced the first commercial olive oil in the Canary Islands in 2005 and has distributed over 300,000 olive saplings. A record harvest is expected this year, with approximately 15% allocated to the production of Oleoteide, whose oils typically sell out within a few months.
In the past campaign, Cumbres de Abona processed around 150,000 kilograms of olives, yielding approximately 32,000 liters of oil. In the current campaign, which began on August 17, about 100,000 kilograms have been harvested to date, with a forecast to reach 200,000 kilograms.
The production of Oleoteide AOVEs is carried out using a continuous two-phase system, with cold extraction to preserve organoleptic qualities. The oils exhibit an aromatic profile dominated by green fruitiness, with notes of tomato, green banana, almond, aromatic herbs, and dried fruits.
Currently, Cumbres de Abona brings together over 800 members, and its facilities span 200,000 square meters. In addition to its oils, the cooperative produces wines under the brands Cumbres de Abona, Flor de Chasna, and Testamento, and has expanded its activities to include pistachio cultivation and oil tourism experiences.
