The 193rd South African Dairy Championships 2026, hosted by Agri-Expo, marked a historic milestone in the dairy industry.
Held at Eensgezind near Durbanville, this event broke records with 1,227 product entries, 81 producers, and 130 judges. It remains the largest dairy judging event in Africa, showcasing the resilience and innovation of the dairy sector. The South African Dairy Championships 2026 saw an unprecedented 1,227 entries across various categories, including milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, and ice cream. Notably, 700 cheeses were judged, setting a new benchmark for the event. The competition also introduced new classes such as smoothies and condensed milk, expanding its scope to over 150 categories.
Innovative judging techniques
Judging took place from 25–27 March, with organisers implementing descriptor-based feedback trials. These refined techniques, aligned with international research, provided producers with detailed insights to improve product quality.
Industry challenges and resilience
Despite challenges like the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the event highlighted the resilience of producers and processors. Officials commended their dedication to maintaining high standards amidst industry pressures.
Awards and recognition
Winners will be announced at the prestigious South African Dairy Awards on 23 April at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl. The championships features approximately 150 classes across cheese, milk, cream, yoghurt, butter, ice cream and fermented products. This year, new classes were introduced, including smoothies and condensed milk. Class winners are named SA Champions, while products of outstanding quality are awarded the prestigious Qualité Mark of Excellence – the dairy industry’s highest honour. The overall top performer is crowned Product of the Year.
