The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the Canary Institute of Agri-food Quality (ICCA), has published the Resolution by which the Official Contest of Cheeses Agrocanarias 2026 is convened, aimed at promoting these productions from the islands, with special attention to those made under differentiated quality figures.
In this edition, as a novelty, the ICCA will pay the registration and logistics expenses of those companies that are admitted to the competition and wish to participate in World Cheese Awards, which will be held in Córdoba from November 12 to 15, 2026. Likewise, the cost of participation in the Gourmets Cheese Championship 2027 will continue to be subsidized.
For the director of the ICCA, Luis Arráez Guadalupe, “it is not only a competition to reward the excellence of Canarian productions, but it is a strategic promotional tool for our cheese dairies, emphasizing the products made under the differentiated quality seal”.
In this regard, Arráez highlights that “this year we are taking a very important step forward in direct support to the producer, since all admitted cheese dairies will have support to participate in the World Cheese Awards 2026 and the Gourmets Cheese Championship 2027”, with which “we want the talent of our professionals not to remain only on the islands, but to compete and shine brightly in the most important national and international showcases of the sector”.
The application period will end on June 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. To consult additional information and access the registration form, visit the ICCA website through the link or the electronic headquarters of the regional Executive.
The competition, which will be held on June 24 and 25 in La Palma, establishes different categories of cheeses according to whether they are made with pasteurized milk or raw milk, from different livestock species (goat, cow, sheep, and mixed) and in different stages of maturation (tender, semi-cured, cured, old, and aged). Different modalities are also contemplated according to the type of coagulation (vegetable rennet or a mixture of vegetable rennet and others) and maturation by the development of molds (internally or on the surface).
The contest rules determine that individuals or legal entities that produce, elaborate, and package any of the aforementioned types of products in the Archipelago can register for it, and that comply with the current legislation and regulations of the sector (RGSA or RASCOM). Furthermore, the productions presented must be available in markets and correspond to their own commercial brands.
The weight of the sample presented must be equal to or greater than two kilograms, and for those that do not reach this weight, as many whole or fractional units as necessary will be presented to reach the minimum required. They must also be presented in packaging that guarantees their correct preservation, allowing the presentation of several samples in the same package as long as they are duly identified and differentiated. The date and place of delivery of these will be communicated to each participating cheese factory via email and/or telephone.
The contest is governed by a blind tasting system, through which the tasting panel, made up of tasters specializing in the analysis of agri-food products, will evaluate the samples without knowing their origin. With their assessments, they will determine the productions awarded with the Grand Gold Medals, Gold Medals, and Silver Medals, as well as the special distinctions of "Best Cheese of the Canary Islands", "Best Organic Cheese of the Canary Islands", "Best Limited Production Cheese of the Canary Islands". Additionally, the award for "Best Image and Presentation" will exclude those productions recognized in previous editions, unless they show notable differences compared to the already awarded design.
The jury will grant the special distinction "Best Popular Cheese of the Canary Islands" to the highest-rated elaboration by a consumer panel formed for this purpose, as well as the award for "Best Cheese Chosen by the Children's Jury" to the production made with goat's milk chosen by a tasting panel of children belonging to the Local Council of Children and Adolescents (CLIA), a compulsory education center, or sports clubs to be determined.
The product chosen as Best Cheese of the Canary Islands will star in a report that will be published on the website of this autonomous body and sent to various generalist media and those specialized in agricultural information and gastronomy, for its dissemination. In addition, the distinguished productions may use for one year the official distinctive mark of the award obtained and will participate in the different promotion and encouragement events that the ICCA organizes throughout the year.
Add La Voz de Lanzarote as a preferred Google source.
Stay informed with the latest current news.