The jury's decision for the ninth edition of the competition, which took place in La Gomera on March 18 and 19, was recently announced at an event held in Tenerife. A total of ten awards were granted, including three special distinctions and seven medals, among the 21 participating products.
Aloe Vera Internacional, with three decades of experience in aloe vera cultivation, ventured into olive oil production ten years ago. Their oil is made from arbequina, hojiblanca, and picual olive varieties grown on their own estates, using a cold-pressing process to preserve the fruit's organoleptic and nutritional properties.
“"It is of utmost importance to have recovered the Official EVOO Agrocanarias Competition after a year-long hiatus due to very unfruitful campaigns in this crop caused by various meteorological factors."
Minister Narvay Quintero, accompanied by Luis Arráez Guadalupe, general director of the ICCA, highlighted the significance of reactivating the competition after a year's pause due to adverse weather conditions. He emphasized that the event not only aims to recognize the quality of Canarian olive oil but also to consolidate a product that, despite not having a long tradition in the islands, has experienced remarkable growth and become a benchmark in the local agri-food sector.
This edition saw 21 samples from 12 oil mills across Fuerteventura, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and El Hierro. A panel of ten experts evaluated the oils through blind tasting, considering olfactory and gustatory phases to determine aroma intensity, fruitiness, and flavor harmony.
Other awards included the 'Best Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Canarias 2026' distinction for Mi Olivar Refugio del Mar from La Palma, and 'Best Image and Presentation 2026' for Vereda de Conil picual from Lanzarote. Grand Gold Medals were also awarded to Burro Safari Las Tirajanas arbequina/picual from Gran Canaria, and Gold Medals to Olipalma multivarietal from La Palma and Teguerey arbequina/hojiblanca/picual from Fuerteventura. Oleoteide arbequina/picual from Tenerife received a Silver Medal.
Award-winning products will be able to use the official distinction for one year and will participate in various promotional activities organized by the ICCA, in addition to being exhibited at the organization's facilities until the next edition of the competition.
