Gimena Llamedo, Vice-President of the Government of Asturias, was in Benia de Onís on Sunday for the XLVI Certamen del Quesu Gamonéu and praised the work of the family farms and cheesemakers who ensure the production of the traditional Gamonéu cheese. She emphasised the economic importance of the craft and its contribution to preserving the culture of the Picos de Europa.
The event in Benia de Onís is a fixture in the Asturian cheese industry’s calendar. Producers and processors presented their products, and the Premios Gamonéu 2026 were awarded, while prize-winning cheeses were auctioned for a charitable cause. According to consistent reports, more than 1,600 kilograms of Gamonéu were offered for sale. The organisers highlighted the combination of marketing, publicity and local solidarity.
The Gamonéu is protected by the Denominación de Origen Protegida Gamonéu . Production is small-scale and tied to the mountain region. Family farms and smaller dairies work closely with seasonal grazing and traditional maturation practices, securing income in sparsely populated areas and sustaining the cultural landscape. At the same time, the Certamen del Quesu Gamonéu raises producers’ profile with retailers, the hospitality sector and visitors.
From the Government of Asturias’s perspective, strengthening the transfer of knowledge and skills to the next generation is central. Plans have already been announced to develop existing information services into a training focus for artisanal cheesemaking. The aim is to pool expertise, consolidate quality standards and make the transition between generations easier.
Challenges include demographic change in mountain communities, pressure to adapt to hygiene and origin-labelling requirements, and the need for viable sales channels beyond regional markets. Industry representatives say certification, advice and targeted support can help stabilise Gamonéu production in the long term without diluting the product’s distinctive qualities.
Llamedo’s recognition of family farms and cheesemakers is part of a broader regional approach: preserving artisanal quality is to go hand in hand with economic resilience. The 2026 Certamen underlines that the two belong together—from the competition and awards to the auction, which links economic returns with social benefit.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).