The main companies in the agri-food and wine sector of Lanzarote have valued "positively" the export strategy to the United States presented this Tuesday at the Cabildo of Lanzarote.
In a meeting organized by the president of the highest island institution in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, the Wine Regulatory Council and AQUAL, the business community expressed its "interest in accessing the American market, with special attention to Texas, where there are already historical and cultural ties with the island."
The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted "the importance of this strategy" and reaffirmed "the administration's commitment to the internationalization of Lanzarote companies." "We are building a real bridge between Lanzarote and Texas. Local companies have shown that they have high-quality and internationally competitive products. Now our challenge is to accompany them in this process so that they can successfully position themselves in the United States. The success of the island's productive fabric in international markets is good news for families and the progress of Lanzarote," said Betancort.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the new Minister of Economic Promotion, Nori Machín, the CEO of Tourist Centers, Ángel Vázquez, and the CEO of SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, the commercial opportunities derived from the twinning agreement between Lanzarote and San Antonio (Texas) and the role that strategic partners will play in facilitating logistical procedures, licenses and commercial connections were presented.
High-quality Lanzarote products
The intervention of Texan distributors and businessmen confirmed "the market's interest in high-quality Lanzarote products, such as wines, gourmet products and local specialties."
However, the attendees pointed out that "access to the United States continues to present regulatory and logistical challenges that require greater institutional support." In this sense, they requested the Cabildo and the collaborating entities to "support the elimination of entry barriers, advice on regulations and certifications, and coordination with strategic partners in Texas to ensure an effective arrival to the market."
For his part, José Valle, as president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, congratulated the Cabildo for this initiative, which he assured "will have the full support of the Chamber of Commerce to help the business sector lead the Lanzarote brand as a spearhead in these new markets, since our products and companies represent the stories of our families, culture and is our welcome letter."
The event also served to define the following steps, which include working together with interested companies to complete the necessary procedures and planning a trade mission to Texas at the end of 2025, where Lanzarote producers will be able to present their products to American distributors and buyers.
“We have a product of the highest level, and with the help of the public administration we can face the barriers and compete internationally”, said Jorge Rodriguez, president of the Wine Regulatory Council. With this initiative, "Lanzarote is advancing in its internationalization strategy, reinforcing its presence in key markets and generating new opportunities for economic growth for the island's business fabric."
