ICCA_SLIDERAloe Vera is a plant species with innumerable properties that grows naturally on the Islands and that opens up new economic possibilities for Canarian farmers with its use in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and probably, in the food industry.

Currently, The surface of the Archipelago destined for the cultivation of this product has a high productive capacity. However, The lack of adequate regulation of the sector has caused the proliferation of brands without quality controls. Given this, Some manufacturers have chosen to resort to research to certify the properties of their product.

In this new scenario, the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands presents a significant deficit in the materialization of business initiatives.. It is necessary, Therefore, support competitiveness and, in parallel, make a firm commitment to attractive or emerging future sectors, such as those related to the aloe vera sector, since the small size of most companies can make it difficult to access channels and markets, as well as the development of R&D activities, which also limits their negotiating power with clients and suppliers..

Aware of the economic and social importance of the cultivation of this plant, mostly of organic origin, the Canarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA) has carried out studies in collaboration with the University of La Laguna through the University-Business Foundation, aimed at determining the characteristics that can differentiate Canarian aloe from those that have another geographical origin, as well as bibliographic reviews of Aloe for pharmaceutical applications. All these studies have served to encourage and promote the cultivation of Aloe Vera from the Canary Islands..

The producing sector, on the other hand, It has also carried out research studies in order to improve the extraction and stabilization processes of aloe extract., in addition to making improvements in the product transformation facilities. The University of La Laguna, on the other hand, He has carried out numerous works related to Canary Island Aloe..

At this moment the economic possibilities of a product that is mostly grown in the Canary Islands in an ecological way, with the edaphoclimatic requirements for its production are those of these islands and which is differentiated by its quality from the rest of aloes from different geographical origins., they are huge, and will mean sustainable development that will benefit the natural environment, to the primary sector, al sector industrial, and of course, to consumers.

Given this panorama, and with the concern expressed by the Aloe producing sector, The way to protect a natural crop in the Canary Islands has been studied with some quality and origin distinction that differentiates it from those produced in other places in the world and that are fraudulently marketed as Canary Islands Aloe., every time, apparently, what is produced in these islands has an added value over what is produced in other places.

On the other hand, one of the most interesting aspects related to Aloe Vera and that could present undeniable advantages for both the producing sector and the marketer., is the relatively recent consideration of Aloe as a food.

Today, most of the Aloe from the Canary Islands is organically produced. The ICCA, acts as a control and certification body for these productions, but it could only certify the plant that is subsequently transformed into cosmetic products (which in no case will be certified), or in food products.

The Aloe Vera market has good prospects, but an institutional push is needed to differentiate the Canarian product. In ten years the European market will absorb the supply of Canarian Aloe Vera because the quantities that are now imported from countries outside the Union are produced here., although for them to become a reality, sufficient institutional support is necessary to fight against the marketing of American companies., as has been done with the Canarian fashion industry.

The economic and social value is of undoubted interest for the Canary Islands, that I would find in Aloe an alternative crop to other existing ones and even complementary, that occurs naturally, that does not have great requirements for its production, which is environmentally friendly, and that opens up hope for the creation of industries dedicated to the transformation.

Alfonso J. Lopez Torres
Director Instituto Canario Food Quality (ICCA).