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Dairy manufacturers across South Africa are invited to enter the 2025 South African Dairy Championships, the country’s largest and oldest dairy competition. Now in its 192nd year, this prestigious event has been hosted by Agri-Expo since 1834.

Each year, the championships attracts around 1 000 entries from manufacturers of all sizes – large, medium, and small – who compete for top honours, including the sought-after SA Champion title, the Qualité Mark of Excellence, and the ultimate Product of the Year award.

The competition spans more than 100 classes, covering a wide range of dairy products, from cheese, yoghurt, and milk to cream, butter, ice cream, and more. Each class winner earns the title of SA Champion, while the Qualité Mark, regarded as the industry’s highest accolade, is reserved for products of exceptional quality that meet strict criteria. The product scoring the highest overall mark is named Product of the Year.

According to Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo, the championships serves as a benchmark for excellence in the South African dairy industry. “This competition allows manufacturers to measure themselves against the best in the business,” Milford says. “We are proud to support the industry through this platform, made possible with the backing of our platinum partners, IMCD and DSM-Firmenich, and other sponsors.”

Key Dates: 

• Entries open: Monday 2 December 2024
• Entries close: Friday 31 January 2025
• Judging: Thursday 20 February, and Friday 21 February 2025, at Eensgezind, Durbanville
• SA Dairy Awards ceremony: Tuesday 8 April 2025, at Eensgezind

To enter, visit https://cheesesa.co.za/. For more information, call 021 863 1599 / 083 440 1628, or email dairy@agriexpo.co.za.