An institutional delegation from Lanzarote’s has reached an agreement to position the island’s gourmet products on the shelves of H-E-B, the largest supermarket chain in Texas.
The deal is the culmination of an official trade mission to the United States, led by the President of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, the President of the Cámara de Comercio, José Valle, and the CEOs of the CACT and SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote.
The mission, which began with strategic meetings in New York, reached its peak in San Antonio with a visit to a flagship H-E-B store. The goal was clear: to establish H-E-B as a premier platform for marketing the unique flavours of Lanzarote to its American consumers.
For President Oswaldo Betancort, this represents a generational leap forward. “This step is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow, generate employment for our families, and take the Lanzarote brand to the world with the help of our best ambassadors: our local producers,” he stated.
José Valle, President of the Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the effectiveness of the public-private partnership and a unique historical advantage: “We are backed by a unique historical bond with San Antonio, in place since 1731, which opens doors and builds trust in our commercial relations.”
The Flavours of Lanzarote, Ready for Texas
The island was represented by a roster of esteemed producers who showcased the very best of its culinary heritage:
- Bernardo’s Gourmet Products
- Bodega El Jable de Tao
- Bodega La Geria
- Bodega Vega de Yuco
- Quesería El Faro
- Salinas de Janubio
- Sweetba
Their offerings – including distinctive Denomination of Origin wines, artisanal cheeses, mojo sauces, Janubio sea salt, aloe vera products, and pastries – were met with enthusiastic interest.
“Having our products in a chain like H-E-B opens the door to a huge market. For a family business like ours, this means securing the future of our workers and our cultural and gastronomic legacy,” said Carlos Padrón, director of Salinas de Janubio.
Echoing the sentiment, Marco Taborra, export manager at Bernardo’s Gourmet Products, added, “We always dreamed of seeing our products on store shelves in the United States. This positioning confirms that the quality and authenticity of Lanzarote have a place on the international table.”
The Lanzarote 360º Forum
The visit was capped with the professional forum “Lanzarote 360º-Texas 2025,” held at the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel. Organised in collaboration with the CACT, SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote, and renowned local chef Sergio Remolina, the event brought together producers, Texan importers, exporters, and culinary entrepreneurs for tastings, networking, and strategic discussions.
This mission is not an isolated event but part of a sustained, 12-month effort by the Cabildo – through its Economic Promotion agency, SPEL, the CACT, the Chamber of Commerce, and Proexca – to guide Lanzarote companies through the complex process of obtaining FDA licenses and building crucial relationships with major American distributors.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!