Agri-Expo this week welcomes the who’s who of the South African dairy sector to the 2026 South African Dairy Championships at Eensgezind near Durbanville. Now in its 193rd edition, the event has reached unprecedented heights, recording the highest number of entries, producers, judges and partners in its long history.
Record-Breaking Participation Signals Industry Confidence
Staging Africa’s largest dairy judging is no small feat. This year’s championships bring together an impressive 1 227 products from 81 producers, assessed by 130 judges with the support of 20 partners — all new records for the competition.
Despite mounting pressures facing the agricultural sector, participation at this scale reflects a dairy industry that continues to show up and invest in quality.
“Across the board, these are the highest numbers we have ever seen,” says Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo.
Three Days of Intensive Judging
Judging got underway on Wednesday, 25 March, with milk and ice cream categories, followed by a second day dedicated to cheese and butter on Thursday, 26 March.
A standout milestone this year is the evaluation of a record-breaking 700 cheeses — the highest number ever recorded in this category. Judging concludes on Friday, 27 March, with yoghurt and fermented products taking centre stage.
Recognising Excellence and Building Expertise
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Ivan Meyer, attended the judging to personally thank participants and commend the championships’ longstanding contribution to the development of industry expertise, particularly in sensory evaluation training. He also highlighted ongoing international collaboration and plans to further strengthen dairy excellence in the province.
Resilience Amid Industry Challenges
Chief judge Graham Sutherland notes that this year’s record participation comes at a time when the industry is navigating significant challenges.
“Against the backdrop of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, we commend dairy farmers for their resilience and determination to maintain milk production,” he says. “
Innovation in Judging Practices
This year’s championships also introduce new elements aimed at enhancing both judging accuracy and feedback to producers. These include the trial of descriptor-based feedback in selected classes, as well as refined judging techniques aligned with internationally recognised research.
The goal is to support judges while providing more detailed and meaningful insights to producers striving for excellence.
Driving Standards and Industry Growth
Chris Fourie, President of Agri-Expo, emphasises the broader significance of the event.
“It is about giving back to the industry, raising standards, driving innovation and ultimately taking the sector forward,” he says.
Strong Backing from Industry Partners
Milford also expressed appreciation for the wide range of partners supporting the championships, highlighting the collaborative effort required to stage an event of this scale.
Looking Ahead to the Dairy Awards
Winners will be announced at the prestigious South African Dairy Awards on 23 April at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl.
The championships feature approximately 150 classes across cheese, milk, cream, yoghurt, butter, ice cream and fermented products. New classes introduced this year include smoothies and condensed milk, reflecting evolving consumer trends and product innovation.
Class winners are named SA Champions, while products of outstanding quality are awarded the prestigious Qualité Mark of Excellence — the highest honour in the dairy industry. The overall top performer will be crowned Product of the Year.