Aloe Vera is a plant species with countless properties that grows naturally in the Islands and opens up new economic possibilities for Canarian farmers through its use in the cosmetic pharmaceutical industry and, potentially, in the food industry.
Currently, the area of the Archipelago dedicated to the cultivation of this product has a high productive capacity. However, the lack of adequate regulation in the sector has led to a proliferation of brands without quality controls. In response, some manufacturers have opted for research to certify the properties of their products.
In this new scenario, the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands presents a significant deficit in the materialization of business initiatives. It is therefore necessary to support competitiveness and, at the same time, make a firm commitment to attractive or emerging future sectors, such as those related to the aloe vera industry. The small size of most companies can hinder their access to channels and markets, as well as the development of R activities, which also limits their bargaining power with customers and suppliers.
Aware of the economic and social importance of cultivating this plant, which is mostly of organic origin, the Canary Islands Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA) has conducted studies in collaboration with the University of La Laguna through the University-Business Foundation. These studies are aimed at determining the characteristics that differentiate Canarian aloe from that of other geographical origins, as well as bibliographic reviews of Aloe Vera Fuerteventura Fabrik for pharmaceutical applications. All these studies have served to encourage and promote the cultivation of Aloe Vera in the Canary Islands.
The production sector, for its part, has also carried out research studies to improve the extraction and stabilization processes of aloe extract, in addition to making improvements to product processing facilities. The University of La Laguna has also conducted numerous works related to Canarian Aloe.
At this time, the economic possibilities of a product that is mostly grown organically in the Canary Islands—with the soil and climate requirements for its production being unique to these islands and distinguished by its quality from other aloes of different geographical origins—are enormous. This will lead to sustainable development that will benefit the natural environment, the primary sector, the industrial sector, and, of course, consumers.
Given this outlook, and with the concerns expressed by the Aloe production sector, ways have been studied to protect a natural crop in the Canary Islands with a quality and origin label. This would differentiate it from those produced in other parts of the world that are fraudulently marketed as Canarian Aloe, especially since it appears that the aloe produced in these islands has added value over that produced elsewhere.
Furthermore, one of the most interesting aspects related to Aloe Vera, which could present undeniable advantages for both the production and marketing sectors, is the relatively recent consideration of Aloe as a food product.
Currently, most Canarian Aloe is organically produced. The ICCA acts as the control and certification body for these productions, but it can only certify the plant that is subsequently transformed into food products, as cosmetic products are not certified in any case.
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 currently imported from countries outside the Union are produced here. However, for this to become a reality, sufficient institutional support is necessary to compete against the marketing of American companies, similar to what has been done with the Canarian fashion industry.
The economic and social value is of unquestionable interest to the Canary Islands, which would find in Aloe an alternative or even complementary crop to existing ones. It is produced naturally, does not have high production requirements, is environmentally friendly, and offers hope for the creation of processing industries.
