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A handcrafted burrata from Puglia Cheese in Somerset West has been named the 2026 South African Dairy Product of the Year at the SA Dairy Awards, held on Thursday 23 April at Nederburg in Paarl.

Made from 100% South African milk, the burrata stood out among a record 1 227 entries from 81 producers in this year’s SA Dairy Championships, the largest and longest-running dairy competition in Africa.

A panel of 130 judges assessed entries over three days. In total, 122 products were named SA Champions as class winners, while 36 products received the Qualité mark – the only official mark of excellence in the South African dairy industry (see full list below).

Chief judge Graham Sutherland says the winning product reflects both technical skill and authenticity. “Having recently spent time working in Italy, it is especially rewarding to see a product like Puglia’s burrata recognised at this level. It is a true celebration of Italian cheesemaking tradition – a fresh pasta filata cheese with a delicate outer shell and rich, creamy interior that delivers both balance and indulgence. It captures the essence of la bella vita.”

Burrata is a fresh mozzarella-style cheese filled with cream and shredded curds (stracciatella), known for its soft exterior and rich, creamy centre, typically served at room temperature.

Puglia Cheese founders, Davide and Ursula Ostini, say the recognition is a proud moment for the team. “This award reflects years of dedication to quality and a deep respect for traditional cheesemaking techniques, adapted for local conditions. Established in 2010 after we moved from Italy, Puglia Cheese pioneered the production of burrata in South Africa, born from a desire to bring authentic, high-quality Italian cheese to the local market. We are proud to produce a product that stands alongside the best.”

According to Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo, the results reflect both innovation and resilience in the dairy sector. “The record number of entries and consistently high standard of products point to a competitive and forward-moving industry, with both established producers and smaller players continuing to raise the bar.”

Milford congratulated leading performers in this year’s Qualité Awards, including Lactalis South Africa (eight awards), Clover (three), Fairfield Dairy (three), Fair Cape Dairies (two), Ladismith Cheese Company (two), Lancewood (two) and Polar Ice Cream Company (two). “A wide range of other producers has also been recognised for outstanding quality, including Dalewood Fromage, which received an honourable mention for third place overall for its Full Cream Jersey Milk, while second place overall was awarded to Lactalis South Africa for its Woolworths Mature Gouda – 10 months.”

Game changer award recognises emerging talent …

Agri-Expo also honoured 32-year-old Courtenay van der Merwe, New Product Development Manager at Fair Cape Dairies, with the third annual Hollard Game Changer Award. The award, which includes a cash prize of R50 000 sponsored by Hollard, recognises young professionals making a measurable impact in the dairy industry.

Industry support remains key …

“A project of this scale is only possible through strong industry collaboration,” says Milford. “We thank our platinum partners IMCD South Africa and dsm-firmenich; our diamond partners Novonesis, SIG and Synercore; our gold partners Woolworths, Condio, Hollard, Checkers, IFF, Orchem and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture; our silver partners Mane, SPAR and Fruitique; and our bronze partners Agrana Fruit, Polyoak Packaging, Tetra Pak and Ecowize.”

Natasha de Lange, Managing Director of IMCD South Africa, says their involvement reflects a long-term commitment to the sector. “Supporting dairy excellence with purpose is more than a campaign line for us; it reflects how we work every day. We are proud to stand alongside the industry as Platinum Partner of the 2026 SA Dairy Championships and celebrate the people and products driving dairy forward.”
 
The 2026 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.

Lactalis South Africa (8)
Parmalat Salted Butter
Woolworths Unsalted Butter
Parmalat Garlic and Parsley Butter Sausage
Woolworths Mature Gouda - 10 months (Honourable mention for second place overall)
Président Mature Gouda - 6 months
Galbani Full Fat Mozzarella
Melrose Spread Cheddar - Tub
Aylesbury Royalty Tin Roof Dairy Ice Cream

Clover S.A. (3)
Clover Mooi River Salted Butter
Clover Springbok Unsalted Butter
Checkers Housebrand Sweetened Full Cream Condensed Milk

Fairfield Dairy (3)
SPAR Low Fat Smooth Cottage Cheese Garlic & Herb
Woolworths Organic Fresh Full Cream Milk
SPAR Double Cream Yoghurt Granadilla Cheesecake Flavoured

Fair Cape Dairies (2)
Woolworths Fresh Custard with Vanilla Bean Seeds
Full Cream Smooth Strawberry Flavoured Yoghurt

Ladismith Cheese Company (2)
Salted Butter
Round Gouda

Lancewood (2)
Lactose Free Yellow Cheddar
Pick n Pay Mature Cheddar

Polar Ice Cream Company (2)
Polar Premier Cookies & Cream Dairy Ice Cream
Polar Premier Swiss Chocolate Dairy Ice Cream

Babylonstoren - Chocolate Brownie Gelato
Belnori Boutique Cheesery - Marula Jelly with Ginger Yoghurt
Dairy Corporation - Usave Ubrand Full Cream Milk
Dairy Group - Shoprite Ritebrand Fat Free Milk - UHT
Dalewood Fromage - Full Cream Jersey Milk (Honourable mention for third place overall)
Dutch Goat Farm - Sheep's Gouda
Fairview Cheese Company - Woolworths Paarl Rock Brie
Farm Hill Dairy - Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Goat Peter - Plain Kefir
Heidelswiss Creamery - Labneh Marinated in Thyme, Chilli and Garlic
Kleinkraal Suiwel - Cabrette Marinated in Oil with Garlic and Herbs
Mooivallei Suiwel - Mooivallei Rigg's Unsalted Butter
Puglia Cheese – Burrata (SA Dairy Product of the Year)
Woodlands Dairy - First Choice Recovery High Protein Chocolate Flavour