The competition, organized by the Canarian Institute of Agri-food Quality (ICCA), has recognized the high quality of the Canarian cheese sector. This edition saw 264 entries from 85 cheese dairies, a 13.33% increase from the previous year. The jury's decision, made in La Palma, awarded 66 prizes: 38 grand gold medals and 22 gold medals, in addition to six special distinctions.
Gran Canaria led in the number of recognitions with 22 awards, followed by La Palma with 16, Fuerteventura with 14, Lanzarote with eight, Tenerife with five, La Gomera with two, and El Hierro with one. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero, highlighted the "extraordinary moment" for the cheese sector, emphasizing that all distinguished productions achieved the highest award.
Quintero also noted the progressive increase in participation, with 58.08% more samples compared to 2023, and assured the support of the Government of the Canary Islands to continue boosting competitiveness and wealth in rural areas.
The director of ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, stated that Agrocanarias has consolidated itself as a strategic promotional tool for cheesemakers and announced the organization's support for cheeseries to participate in international events such as the World Cheese Awards 2026 and the Gourmets Quesos Championship 2027.
The cheesery La Gloria, managed by José Miguel Ortega Suárez and Francisca Olga Pérez Navarro, produces its cheeses from raw milk of two thousand Majorera goats, yielding about 65,000 kilos annually. Their cheese spread with extra virgin olive oil was also named Best Cheese of the Canary Islands in 2021.
Other notable distinctions include the Best Limited Production Cheese 2026 for El Minero by Melquiades Ancor Expósito Hernández (Tenerife), the Best Organic Cheese of the Canary Islands 2026 for Aborigen by Jenifer Santos Cabrera (Tenerife), the Best Popular Cheese of the Canary Islands 2026 for La Candilera ahumado by Moisés Carmona Fernández (La Palma), and the Best Cheese Chosen by the Children's Jury for Julián Díaz by Arquema (Gran Canaria). The award for Best Image and Presentation 2026 went to La Ampuyenta by Héctor Luis Cabrera González (Fuerteventura).
Grand gold medals were distributed among various cheeseries from La Palma, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Gomera, and El Hierro, recognizing cheeses in categories such as raw milk semi-cured, pasteurized cured, semi-cured, and tender, as well as sheep and mixed milk cheeses.
The competition followed a blind tasting system where a panel of specialists evaluated the samples without knowing the brands. Award-winning productions will be able to use the official award insignia for one year and participate in promotional events organized by the ICCA.
