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A mascarpone, crafted by RFG Foods in Simondium, was crowned the 2025 Dairy Product of the Year at the prestigious South African Dairy Awards on Tuesday 8 April 2025 at Eensgezind outside Durbanville. 

The winning mascarpone with fig and pecan nuts, made especially for Woolworths by RFG Foods, was one of a record-breaking 1 110 dairy products from 77 manufacturers that competed in the 2025 SA Dairy Championships, the biggest and longest-running dairy competition in Africa.

A panel of 103 expert judges representing 47 companies adjudicated the entries over three days. A total of 114 products received SA Champion awards as class winners, while 30 products were honoured with the prestigious Qualité mark, the only mark of excellence in the South African dairy industry (see the full list of crème de la crème below).

"Being awarded Product of the Year in a competition of this calibre is the ultimate accolade for any dairy producer," says Graham Sutherland, chief judge of the SA Dairy Championships. "This rich, sweet, and indulgent dessert cheese stands out for its harmonious blend of fig and pecan nuts with smooth mascarpone. It creates a dreamy flavour experience and leaves a lasting impression.”

Robert Sudell, Operations Manager of RFG Foods, says their team is incredibly proud to win Product of the Year for the second time in three years.

“Italian cheeses have been a speciality at RFG Foods for many years,” says Sudell. “Our artisanal cheese team, led by Kerwick Boonzaaier, are true experts, crafting cheese that are some of the best in the world. We also congratulate Agri-Expo on the 192nd SA Dairy Championships and their ongoing support of innovation and excellence.”

Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo, the host of the competition since 1834, says the SA Dairy Championships showcases exceptional South African dairy products, celebrating their diversity and quality, as well as the industry’s economic contribution.

According to Milford, this year’s record number of entries and results reflect an innovative industry and healthy competition between large manufacturers and small-scale entrepreneurs. “Congratulations to Fair Cape Dairies for winning six Qualité awards; Lactalis South Africa with four; Fairfield Dairy with three; Dalewood Fromage, Fairview, Klein Rivier Cheese, Ladismith Cheese and Lancewood, each with two; and all other deserving winners.”

SECOND GAME CHANGER AWARD CELEBRATES YOUNG TALENT

Agri-Expo honoured 31-year-old Pamella Dzindikwa, production manager at Puglia Cheese, with the second annual Hollard Game Changer Award and a cash prize of R50 000. Dzindikwa has been part of the award-winning Puglia Cheese for the past nine years. She began her career as a cleaner and rose through the ranks by mastering cheesemaking, contributing significantly to Puglia’s success as a household brand.

Milford says the Hollard Game Changer Award recognises young professionals already making a meaningful impact. “It serves as both recognition of their achievements and motivation to continue their pursuit of excellence.”

INDUSTRY COLLABORATION SHAPES THE FUTURE

“A project of this scale would not be possible without the support of our partners,” says Milford. “We thank our platinum partners IMCD South Africa and dsm-firmenich; diamond partners Novonesis and SIG; gold partners Woolworths, Synercore, Condio, Hollard, Checkers, IFF, Orchem, and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture; silver partners Pick n Pay and Mane; and bronze partners AGRANA Fruit and Nutrochem.”

Linda Segalla of IMCD added: “IMCD South Africa is honoured to support the SA Dairy Championships, reflecting our ongoing dedication to innovation, quality, and progress in the industry. We remain committed to empowering the dairy sector with cutting-edge solutions and expertise, helping to shape a future of excellence."

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

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THE 2025 QUALITÉ WINNERS – THE ONLY MARK OF EXCELLENCE IN THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

The Qualité Mark, the dairy industry's sole mark of excellence, is reserved for select products of exceptional quality that have achieved a specific minimum score on the international scorecard. The product securing the highest score is crowned Product of the Year.

FAIR CAPE DAIRIES (6)
Fair Cape Dairies Chocolate Mousse
Fair Cape Dairies Low Fat Mixed Fruit Yoghurt
Woolworths Fresh Custard with Vanilla Bean Seeds
Woolworths Passion Fruit Cheesecake Mousse Dessert (Honourable mention for second place overall)
Woolworths Chocolate Mousse
Woolworths Double Cream Lemon Curd Yoghurt

LACTALIS SOUTH AFRICA (4)
Parmalat Salted Butter
Président Mature Gouda - 6 months
Président White Cheddar - 6 months
Woolworths Yellow Cheddar - 6 months

FAIRFIELD DAIRY (3)
First Choice Low Fat Peach & Apricot Flavoured Dairy Snack
SPAR Double Cream Plain Yoghurt
Woolworths Organic Fat Free Chunky Plain Cottage Cheese

DALEWOOD FROMAGE (2)
Dalewood Fromage Wineland Brie Cape Chilli
Dalewood Fromage Lanquedoc - 10 weeks

FAIRVIEW CHEESE COMPANY (2)
Fairview Chevin Black Pepper & Paprika
Woolworths Raspberry Roulade with Pink Peppercorns

KLEIN RIVER CHEESE (2)
Babylonstoren Cultured Butter - Garlic & Parsley
Woolworths Oak Smoked Stanford

LADISMITH CHEESE (2)
Ladismith Salted Butter
Ladismith Unsalted Butter

LANCEWOOD (2)
Lancewood Medium Fat Smooth Cottage Cheese with Chives
Pick n Pay Matured Cheddar – 6 months

DEWFRESH - Salted Butter
DUTCH GOAT FARM - Sheep's Gouda (Honourable mention for third place overall)
FARM HILL DAIRY - Full Cream Smooth Cottage Cheese
FOXENBURG ESTATE - Chèvre - Chakalaka
LA MONTANARA - Woolworths Halloumi Kebabs
RFG FOODS - Woolworths Mascarpone with Fig & Pecan Nuts (SA Dairy Product of the Year)
WOODLANDS DAIRY - First Choice Low Fat Strawberry Flavoured Milk