Agrifood & cold chain
A mild climate and steady, year-round demand from tourism make food and drink businesses a natural fit on the islands.
Why it fits: A large hospitality market and a stable climate support local production, packing, processing and cold storage close to the point of consumption.
A market on the doorstep
The Canary Islands received over 14 million international visitors in 2023, according to ISTAC (Instituto Canario de Estadística). That sustained inflow creates year-round demand for food and drink, with little of the seasonality that defines mainland tourist regions.
For an incoming food business, that matters in a concrete way. Demand does not collapse in winter. Hotels, restaurants and retail need reliable supply twelve months a year, which supports packing, processing and cold storage located close to where the product is consumed.
The local climate adds to the case. Average temperatures across Tenerife sit in a mild band through the year, which reduces the energy load on refrigerated facilities compared with continental sites that swing between extremes. The islands also have an established export agriculture base — the DOP Plátano de Canarias and the export tomato trade among them — which means cold-chain and packing infrastructure is not a novelty here.
What premises to look for
Agrifood operations usually need three things from a building: refrigeration capacity, ample electrical power and a hygienic fit-out. A standard industrial shell rarely delivers all three out of the box, so the cost of adaptation is a real part of the decision.
We help you screen units that can take a cold chain without an expensive retrofit. That means checking the contracted power (cold rooms are power-hungry), the floor and wall finishes for food-grade cleaning, the loading arrangement for isothermal vehicles, and whether an activity licence for food handling can be obtained for that use and that location.
How the tax framework helps
A food business that genuinely produces, packs or processes on the islands can usually access the ZEC corporate tax rate of 4%, set under Ley 19/1994 (the Canary Islands Economic and Fiscal Regime), provided it meets the investment and employment thresholds. Imported inputs and equipment are subject to IGIC rather than mainland VAT, and the IGIC general rate is lower. We point you to a qualified tax adviser to model your specific case before you commit.
FAQ
- Why is demand for food and drink so steady in the Canary Islands?
- The islands received over 14 million international tourists in 2023 (ISTAC). That hospitality market generates year-round food service demand, with far less seasonality than the mainland.
- Can I use the ZEC tax regime for food processing?
- Food processing and packing are typically eligible activities under the ZEC. Eligibility depends on your investment and job-creation plan. Confirm with the ZEC Consortium (AZELCAN).
- Are HACCP-ready or refrigerated units available?
- Some units already include cold rooms or food-grade fit-out; others can be adapted. Tell us your process and we filter for the right starting point.