Canarian cheeses have secured a total of 76 awards at the 38th edition of the World Cheese Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious international competitions in the cheese sector, held on November 12th in Cordoba, as part of the Andalucía Gusto del Sur International Cheese Festival. This edition saw a record participation with 5,330 cheeses from 45 countries, including 149 from the Archipelago.
The Islands' productions thus accumulated 5 super golds, 13 golds, 25 silvers, and 33 bronzes, distributed as follows: 28 medals for Gran Canaria; 21 for Tenerife; 10 for Fuerteventura; 8 for Lanzarote; 7 for La Palma; and 2 for El Hierro.
The Canarian participation in this international event was supported by the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canarian Institute of Agri-food Quality (ICCA) and Proexca, with the collaboration of the Island Councils of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The ICCA covered registration and logistics costs and provided technical assistance to participating cheesemakers, as part of the regional executive's initiatives to facilitate the presence of Canarian producers at key international events.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero, congratulated the Archipelago's cheesemakers on their achievements, stating, “These awards reflect the effort, professionalism, and dedication of those who work daily to produce extraordinary quality cheeses, distinguished by their diversity, uniqueness, and connection to our territory. Reaffirming our productions among the world's best demonstrates the immense value of the Canarian livestock and cheese sector and the prestige it has achieved both within and beyond our islands.”
Quintero also highlighted the ongoing support from the Government of the Canary Islands for producers to participate in such significant events, promote their products, and access new commercial opportunities, thereby contributing to the maintenance of livestock farming and rural areas.
Among the super gold recipients were the aged goat's milk cheese from Quesos San Mateo (Gran Canaria); the cured cow's milk cheese from Quesería Artesanal del Rosario (Gran Canaria); the aged goat and sheep cheese with gofio from Quesería Montesdeoca (Tenerife); the mixed aged cheese from Juan Suárez e Hijos (Gran Canaria); and the semi-cured Guatisea with gofio from Quesería Montaña Blanca (Lanzarote).
Gold medals were awarded to productions from El Minero Granja Ara (Tenerife), Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura, Quesería Artesanal Guedes (Gran Canaria), Quesería Era del Cardón (Gran Canaria), Quesería Los Altos de Moya (Gran Canaria), Quesería El Faro (Lanzarote), Quesos Flor Valsequillo (Gran Canaria), Flor de Güímar 1992 (Tenerife), Cortijo de Pavón (Gran Canaria), Granja Las Cuevas (La Palma), Quesería El Guanche (Tenerife), and Quesería Ganaranjo (Gran Canaria).
Silver medals were awarded to cheeses from Quesería El Guanche (Tenerife), Quesos San Mateo (Gran Canaria), Naturteno (Tenerife), Quesería Era del Cardón (Gran Canaria), Granja Las Cuevas (La Palma), Quesería Montesdeoca (Tenerife), Quesos La Gloria (Gran Canaria), Quesería La Candilera (DOP Queso Palmero), Quesería Filo El Cuchillo (Lanzarote), Ganadería Naroy (Gran Canaria), Flor de Güímar 1992 (Tenerife), SCL Ganaderos de El Hierro, Cristóbal Moreno Díaz, Quesos San Mateo (Gran Canaria), Granja Las Cuevas (La Palma), Quesería Montesdeoca (Tenerife), Quesería Taiguy (Gran Canaria), Arquegran Agüimes (Gran Canaria), and Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura.
A total of 33 bronze medals completed the Canarian tally, recognizing cheesemakers such as Quesos San Mateo (Gran Canaria), Quesería El Guanche (Tenerife), Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura, Quesería Artesanal Guedes (Gran Canaria), Quesería Juncalillo del Sur (Gran Canaria), Quesería Los Castañeros (Gran Canaria), Juan Suárez e Hijos (Gran Canaria), Quesería El Faro (Lanzarote), Queso Rosa de la Madera (Fuerteventura), Quesería Luna de Awara (DOP Queso Palmero), Quesos Julián Díaz (DOP Queso Majorero), Quesos Llanos La Mareta (Fuerteventura), Quesos La Gloria (Gran Canaria), Quesos Flor Valsequillo (Gran Canaria), Quesería Amurga (Tenerife), Quesería Montaña Blanca (Lanzarote), SCL Ganaderos de El Hierro, Quesería Montesdeoca (Tenerife), Granja Las Cuevas (La Palma), Quesos Lomo El Chorrito (Gran Canaria), Quesos Aborigen (Tenerife), Quesos San Mateo (Gran Canaria), Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura, Finca de Uga (Lanzarote), and Juan Suárez e Hijos (Gran Canaria).
Within the event, the ICCA, in collaboration with Proexca, set up an exhibition space to promote Canarian products and showcase the awarded cheeses, presenting the Archipelago's productions' quality and diversity to distributors and industry professionals.
Furthermore, Proexca, in partnership with the Fuerteventura Island Council, organized a commercial mission for Fuerteventura farmers and cheesemakers, including technical visits to farms and agri-food companies in Cordoba to share experiences and explore new business opportunities.
The World Cheese Awards, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, serve as a major international platform for producers, specialists, and professionals in the cheese industry, bringing together representatives from the dairy and gastronomic sectors to celebrate quality, innovation, and cheese culture.
