The South African dairy industry is abuzz with excitement as the countdown begins for the highly anticipated SA Dairy Awards, set to take place on 8 April 2025 at Eensgezind, Durbanville. This prestigious event will recognise excellence in dairy production and innovation, with standout individuals and top-quality dairy products competing for the highest honours.
A Historic Event with Record-Breaking Entries
The 192nd South African Dairy Championships, hosted by Agri-Expo, continues to set new benchmarks in the industry. This year’s competition saw a record 1,110 entries from 77 manufacturers, judged by an impressive panel of 103 experts. Since its inception in 1834, the championship has been a key driver of industry standards, innovation, and product excellence.
“The SA Dairy Championships is a celebration of our industry’s resilience, talent, and innovation,” said Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo. “With a record number of entries and judges, we are witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm from both manufacturers and consumers.”
Judging the Best in Dairy
Judging for this year’s championships took place over three days, from 19 to 21 February 2025, at Eensgezind. The meticulous evaluation process ensured that only the best dairy products make it to the final round.
- Day 1: The event kicked off with ice cream judging, featuring 10 judges, 6 different classes, and 55 ice cream entries.
- Day 2: Cheese and butter took centre stage, with expert judges assessing texture, taste, and overall quality.
- Day 3: The final day focused on a variety of dairy products, including milk, cream, yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, and dairy desserts.
Chief judge Graham Sutherland emphasised the growing complexity of the championships. “We introduced new product classes, extended the judging period, and refined the scoring system to ensure fair and comprehensive evaluations,” he noted.
The Quest for Excellence: The Qualité Mark, SA Champions, and Product of the Year
At the heart of the competition is the prestigious Qualité Mark of Excellence, the highest recognition for dairy products in South Africa. Products that achieve exceptional international standards receive this esteemed accolade. Additionally, class winners are awarded the title of SA Champion, and the Product of the Year award will be given to the top-scoring dairy product across all categories. The Product of the Year will be announced at the SA Dairy Awards on 8 April 2025.
Celebrating Industry Leaders at the SA Dairy Awards
The highlight of the competition will be the SA Dairy Awards ceremony on 8 April 2025 at Eensgezind. This event not only crowns the best dairy products in the country, but also honours individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the industry. One of the most eagerly awaited moments will be the announcement of the 2025 Hollard Game Changer Award winner, who will receive a R50,000 cash prize.
Industry Support and Future Outlook
The SA Dairy Championships continues to thrive with support from key industry partners, including platinum partners IMCD and dsm-firmenich, diamond partners Novonesis and SIG, and gold partners such as Woolworths, Synercore, Condio, Hollard, Checkers, IFF, Orchem, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
With anticipation building for the awards ceremony, the South African dairy industry eagerly awaits the next game-changer—someone who will lead the way in innovation, sustainability, and excellence.
For more information visit www.cheesesa.co.za