The town of Mogán in Gran Canaria is preparing to experience a special day with the celebration of tenth anniversary of the Avocado FairThis event has become a key gathering point for the primary sector in the south of the island. The Pérez Galdós square in Arguineguín will be the meeting place for farmers, locals, and visitors from across Gran Canaria throughout the morning and much of the afternoon.
This milestone birthday comes with a public recognition of the silent work of farmers The event, organized by the municipality, includes a prior training program and a fair that combines direct fruit sales, local food tastings, crafts, and folk music. All of this aims to highlight the value of the Mogán countryside and strengthen the connection between producers and consumers.
A moving tribute to the heart of the fair
As a prelude to the celebration, the Mogán Town Council organized an event at the Mogán Cultural Center. tribute to some thirty farmers who have participated throughout the various editions of the Avocado Fair. The gathering brought together families, friends, and neighbors in a friendly atmosphere that clearly demonstrated the deep roots of this event in the municipality.
The event began with the Screening of a video that reviewed the evolution of the fair since its launch in 2015Showing images of the top stalls, tents packed with visitors, and producers who have been loyal to the event for a decade. That modest initiative has transformed into a fair that fills Arguineguín every December and is now part of Gran Canaria's agricultural and cultural calendar.
During her speech, the mayor Onalia Bueno He emphasized the role of these professionals in the development of the municipality and in the consolidation of Mogán as a benchmark in the production of avocados, mangoes and other tropical fruitsHe noted that there are approximately [number of] [number of] [locations] within the municipality 40 hectares dedicated to “green gold”with more than twenty varieties, and highlighted especially the presence of young people who are taking over on family farms.
The honored farmers received Avocado-shaped awards, made from banana fiberA symbolic gesture that connects with the island's agricultural tradition. The presentation was made by the mayor and the councilor for agriculture. Neftali Sabina, from the former Councillor for Agriculture Ernesto Hernández and the councillor for Heritage Consuelo Díaz, who called the protagonists of the afternoon one by one.
The evening concluded with traditional canarian music performed by the soloist Manuel Estupiñán Verona, accompanied by Adrian Niz to the guitar and José Vicente Pérez to the timple. Many well-known songs were played, including “Tamadaba” and “Shadows of Nublo”, which the public received with applause, thus closing an event that sought to place farmers at the center of the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of the fair.
Ten years of a fair that has already become too small
In statements to various local media outlets, the Councillor for Agriculture Neftali Sabina emphasized, to reach the tenth edition of the Avocado Fair It is already an achievement in itself. Ten years in which the number of participating producers and the influx of visitors has not stopped growing, to the point that the Pérez Galdós square "feels small" despite its size.
Sabina recalled that, since the current governing group took office in 2015, one of the priority objectives has been to recover and boost the primary sector in a municipality heavily influenced by tourismThe fair has become a top-level showcase for local products, but also a way to publicly thank those who maintain their farms, often due to family tradition and as a second activity, for their daily efforts.
The councilman explained that most of the participants in the fair are small and medium-sized farmers, with some larger farms, managing estates inherited from the 60s and 70s. For many of them, attending these types of events is not a strictly economic necessity, but rather a conviction that The product from Mogán has added value which deserves to be recognized and shared with the public.
The importance of the event is not limited to the municipality. Over the years, The Avocado Fair has established itself as a "countryside festival" for all of Gran Canariaattracting visitors from different parts of the island who come to Arguineguín to buy seasonal fruit, try gastronomic preparations and enjoy the atmosphere.
Training and pre-anniversary activities to celebrate the anniversary
The program for this tenth anniversary was not limited to Sunday. The City Council prepared several training activities open to the sector in the days prior, with the aim of updating knowledge and sharing experiences among producers.
Among these actions, one stands out. Practical course on pruning and grafting avocado and mango held on an estate in the Arguineguín ravine, taught by the specialist Miguel Ángel Rodríguez MarreroThe session allowed participants to address on-site techniques to improve the productivity and health of the trees, key issues for maintaining the competitiveness of tropical crops.
It was also organized a talk about new developments in irrigation systems for avocadosThe meeting, held in the municipal council chamber, addressed solutions for optimizing water use, a resource that Councillor Sabina himself identifies as one of the major challenges for the future, along with generational change in agriculture.
These training sessions were completed with the aforementioned ceremony recognizing some thirty farmersThe event, held at the El Mocán Cultural Center, also included live music by Manuel Estupiñán Verona, José Vicente Pérez, and Adrián Niz. In this way, the City Council wanted the tenth anniversary to have both a festive component and a clearly educational and collaborative one.
What the public will find at the tenth Avocado Fair
On Sunday, when the tents open in the Pérez Galdós Square in ArguineguínThe public will find a fair designed to be enjoyed for several hours. According to the official program, there will be Sixteen stalls managed by farmers from the municipalitywho will sell their production directly without intermediaries.
In total, the offer is expected to be around 5.000 kilos of avocado of the Fuerte and Pinkerton varietiesFruits highly prized for their flavor and texture. These will be joined by approximately 2.500 kilos of Keitt variety mango, and 2.500 kilos of oranges and other seasonal fruits grown in the area. Mogán is currently the largest mango producer in Gran Canaria and has diversified in recent years into other tropical crops such as pitaya and tropical pineapple, with more than 125.000 plants in the Veneguera area.
The offerings don't stop at fresh fruit. The fair will also feature a gastronomic area dedicated to locally sourced productsThe event will feature around ten exhibitors. Products will be available for purchase there. honey, aloe, cheeses, wine, pastries, jams, bread, tapas and other dishes made from local raw materials, which allow us to verify the culinary potential of Moganera's production.
Along with the food offerings, the event will include ten stands of traditional craftsThis reinforces the cultural and commercial dimension of the event. The organizers emphasize that the fair aims to be a complete experience: buying fruit, tasting dishes, acquiring artisanal products, and Enjoy the festive atmosphere and the climate of southern Gran Canaria.
The day will take place between 9: 00 and 16: 00 hours —in some programs it extends until 17:00 PM— and will feature a full block of musical performances starting mid-morning. The participation of the Parranda El Mejunje, the group Araguaney and the Mariachi Peléon, accompanied by the voices of Yamiley Cruz and Paco Guedes, among other groups that will provide the soundtrack to the party.
Institutional support and quality brand for Mogán's "green gold"
The strengthening of the fair goes hand in hand with a greater institutional support for the primary sectorNeftalí Sabina recalled that, before 2015, the Department of Agriculture had a budget of barely 500 euros per yearCurrently, the figure exceeds 100.000 Euros and a Agricultural engineer, Antonio Bello, which is responsible for providing ongoing training and technical advice to farmers.
The former councilor for Agriculture Ernesto Hernández, who held the position between 2015 and 2023, was mentioned in several speeches as one of the people who, along with the mayor, “set the machinery in motion” so that the Avocado Fair could take the leap forward that is evident today. Until his arrival in government, the primary sector was largely considered a forgotten area within the local administration.
Among the tools promoted by the City Council, the implementation of the "Taste of Mogán" quality sealThis seal is designed to certify and differentiate agri-food products from the municipality that meet specific standards of quality, traceability, and sustainability. The regulations governing the use of this seal are available. It has been definitively approved in plenary sessionTherefore, it will soon be available for use by producers who meet the requirements.
The intention is that, when a person buys a product with that label, Know clearly where it comes from and who is behind itThis reinforces confidence in local origin and good agricultural practices. At the same time, the City Council maintains a line of direct support for the sector through delivery of seedlingspest traps, training courses and technical support, measures that seek to facilitate the maintenance and modernization of the properties.
Challenges of the Mogán countryside and expectations for the event
In interviews given on the occasion of the tenth anniversary, Neftalí Sabina pointed out two main challenges that farmers face daily: Water and generational changeOn the one hand, he explained that there are hydraulic projects underway that will increase the water available for irrigation, not only in Mogán but also in neighboring municipalities, which would help alleviate one of the sector's recurring concerns.
On the other hand, the councilman acknowledged that many farms are maintained thanks to family heritage and personal commitment of those who decide to remain connected to the land. However, he stressed that the various municipal aid programs and initiatives have contributed to this. More and more young people are joining to agricultural activity and to be able to look with some optimism at the future of the countryside in the municipality.
The Agriculture official insisted that Citizens are increasingly demanding to know the origin of what they consume.And that fairs like the one in Arguineguín strengthen the direct contact between producer and buyer. Following this logic, he argues that "you don't need to leave the island to find quality produce," since the combination of climate, water, and traditional know-how allows for obtaining tropical fruits of a high level of excellence.
Regarding participation expectations, Sabina recalled that in the previous edition Almost 60% of the production was sold in less than two hoursThis figure illustrates the fair's popularity among residents and visitors. Therefore, the City Council emphasizes that “The machinery cannot fail” And that the organization is being carefully planned so that the public can stroll, shop, try tapas, listen to music and enjoy the day in comfort.
In the final message addressed to the farmers, the councilor and the mayor reiterated that the municipal government group will continue to defend the interests of the primary sector and supporting those who work the land year-round. At the same time, they have encouraged everyone not to miss this rural festival in Arguineguín, which combines the tourist appeal of the coast with the significant role agriculture plays in Mogán's identity.
With the tribute to the producers, the training activities in the days leading up to it, the quality brand already underway, and a fair that attracts more people every year, The tenth anniversary of the Mogán Avocado Fair is presented as a demonstration of the potential of the local countryside and the importance of continuing to take care of a sector that, far from being a thing of the past, aspires to occupy a prominent place in the present and future of Gran Canaria.
