The Ministry of Agriculture has concluded the 2026 phylloxera inspection campaign with 4,435 inspections, 21% more than expected, and only four new cases, all in the zero zone of Tenerife.
The Canary Islands government has closed this week the 2026 phylloxera inspection campaign with a balance that invites optimism: 4,435 inspections carried out across the Archipelago, of which 3,536 were aerial part reviews and 899 soil samples. The data exceeds initial forecasts by 21% and 27% respectively, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty.
Four new cases, all in the zero zone of Tenerife
Of all the inspections, only four new cases were detected between April and May, all in abandoned farms in the so-called “zero zone,” which encompasses the area of the Protected Designation of Origin Tacoronte-Acentejo in Tenerife. Councillor Narvay Quintero highlighted that these results reflect the effectiveness of the coordinated work with the regulatory councils and the island councils, which have prevented the pest from spreading to other areas of the Archipelago.
“These results reflect the effectiveness of the work carried out by the regional government in collaboration with the Regulatory Councils of the Protected Designations of Origin of Wines of the Canary Islands and the island councils, which has prevented the pest from spreading to other areas,” Quintero stated.
Relaxation of measures and reinforcement in the demarcated area
As a consequence of these results, the Ministry has approved a modification of the Order of August 20, 2025, which adapts the control strategy to the evolution of the pest. Among the most significant changes, the demarcated area is redefined: now the infested area is reduced to 50 meters around each case (down from the previous 500), a special surveillance zone is established up to 500 meters, and a buffer zone of two kilometers. In addition, inspections are intensified and new eradication measures are incorporated, such as specific phytosanitary treatments and the removal of infested plants.
The resolution also relaxes the restrictions on the movement of fresh grapes and plant material in unaffected islands and in Tenerife outside the demarcated area, which will allow the upcoming harvest to proceed normally in the rest of the Archipelago. “The measures are adjusted to the current phytosanitary situation, and we can concentrate control efforts in the vicinity of the focus,” the councillor emphasized.
Canary Islands in eradication phase: possible first European region
Quintero reminded that the Canary Islands are in the eradication phase of phylloxera, a process that, if successfully completed, could make the Archipelago the first European region to eradicate this pest. In the rest of Europe, although contained, it has not been completely eradicated. The inspection campaign does not cease: the Ministry will maintain enhanced surveillance in the demarcated area of Tenerife through visual inspections, sampling, and laboratory analysis.
By island, Tenerife remains the only one with the presence of phylloxera and has concentrated 1,902 inspections. It is followed by Lanzarote with 1,373, La Palma with 656, El Hierro with 148, Gran Canaria with 147, La Gomera with 132, and Fuerteventura with 77. In total, since the start of the work, 12,361 inspections have been carried out, of which 7,926 correspond to last year.
The sampling program has been designed following the Contingency Plan of the Ministry and the guidelines of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), applying the RiPEST tool to optimize detection capacity. The councillor has thanked the collaboration of winemakers, wineries, and regulatory councils, “whose involvement continues to be essential to protect one of the most unique agricultural heritages of the Canary Islands.”
For the Canary reader, the news brings a sigh of relief: the 2026 harvest can proceed normally in most islands, except in the restricted areas of Tenerife. Winemakers in Lanzarote, La Palma, or Gran Canaria, for example, will not see their movements of grapes restricted, ensuring the continuity of their harvests without phytosanitary shocks.
