The biggest, oldest, and most prestigious dairy event in Mzansi is starting the year off with a bang. The 2024 South African Dairy Championships hosted by Agri-Expo is in its 191st year and all dairy manufaturers have been urged to enter this competition.
General manager of Agri-Expo Breyton Milford said the purpose of the Dairy Championships is to promote and recognise excellence in the dairy industry. He said the competition attracts around 900 entries from large, medium and small dairy manufacturers annually.
According to Agri-Expo, the products from local manufacturers compete for the esteemed titles of SA Champion, the Qualité Mark of Excellence, and the ultimate product of the year at the prestigious SA Dairy Awards.
Opportunity to shine
The SA Dairy Championships consists of more than 100 classes for cheese, yoghurt, milk, cream, ice cream, butter, and other dairy products. Each class has a winning product that is awarded the title of SA Champion.
The Qualité mark, recognised by the South African dairy industry as its only mark of excellence, is awarded only to select products of exceptional quality that have achieved a specific minimum mark on the international scorecard. The product that achieves the highest mark is crowned product of the year.
“This championships has become the industry benchmark for dairy manufacturers to measure themselves against each other. We are privileged to serve the dairy industry through this platform, which is made possible in collaboration with our platinum partners IMCD and DSM, as well as other partners,” Milford said.
The entries opened on 15 January and are closing on Monday, 5 February, while judging will take place on Thursday, 7, and Friday, 8 March 2024, at Eensgezind outside Durbanville in Cape Town. Meanwhile, the SA Dairy Awards will be presented on Thursday, 25 April, also at Eensgezind.
For more information, visit https://cheesesa.co.za/, call 021 863 1599 / 083 440 1628, or e-mail dairy@agriexpo.co.za.
ALSO READ: ICYMI: SA signs and seals red meat deal with Saudi Arabia
Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain.
