Canary Islands agricultural products seek EU protected status

The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has submitted applications to the European Commission for the registration of two Protected Geographical Indications (PGI): ‘Tomate Canario’ (Canary Tomato) and ‘Café de Agaete’ (Agaete Coffee).

These initiatives were promoted by the Provincial Federation of Associations of Horticultural Product Exporters of Las Palmas (Fedex) and the Gran Canaria Island Council for the tomato, and by the Agroagaete Association and the Agaete City Council for the coffee. The process was managed by the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA).

The European Commission has a maximum of six months to evaluate the proposals. If approved, the applications will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, triggering a three-month period for public information and opposition at the European level. Once this phase is completed, the Commission may grant definitive recognition. Currently, both products benefit from transitional protection at the national level in Spain.