Tenerife’s wine industry under threat from vineyard pest
A serious outbreak of phylloxera, a highly destructive vine pest, has been detected for the first time in the Canary Islands, prompting alarm among agricultural authorities and wine producers.
The insect, often referred to as the “COVID of the grapevine”, was found in a semi-abandoned vineyard area in Valle de Guerra, on the north-eastern coast of Tenerife.
Phylloxera is a microscopic aphid-like insect originating from North America that attacks grapevine roots, causing lumps or abnormal growths that weaken the plant and lead to rot, fungal infections, and ultimately death if not treated.
The pest can also affect leaves, spreads rapidly through soil and air, and may even cling to farming tools and shoes. The most common variety in Europe, radicícola, lives in the roots and measures just 1 to 1.25 millimetres in length.
Immediate action to contain the outbreak
The discovery led to a quick response from the Canary Islands Government and local authorities in Tenerife. The affected vines and their roots were promptly removed, disinfected, and destroyed. A safety zone has been set up around the area, and inspections are now underway in all nearby vineyards, whether commercial or private. Special measures to control and eliminate the pest have also been put in place to stop it from spreading further.
In the past three days, emergency meetings have been held between the Canary Islands' Minister for Agriculture, Narvay Quintero, the Tenerife Cabildo, customs officials, and representatives of the island’s wine regulatory councils. A larger coordination meeting involving government bodies, agricultural organisations, wine councils, and vineyard owners is scheduled this week to evaluate progress and implement next steps.
A technical document with guidelines for detection and control has been released, and farmers have been urged to immediately report any symptoms to the island’s Agricultural Extension Agencies or the regional Department of Agriculture.
Canary Islands at risk of losing pest-free status
Until now, the Canary Islands had officially maintained a phylloxera-free status, protected under a 1987 law that strictly prohibits the import of vine plant material, including from mainland Spain, with the exception of fruit and seeds. The goal of current containment efforts is to preserve that status and avoid the devastating long-term consequences that widespread infestation would have for the islands' unique wine industry.
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