The South African dairy industry has witnessed a historic moment of triumph as the 191st South African Dairy Championships concluded with record-breaking entries and unparalleled excellence. Held at Eensgezind outside Durbanville, this esteemed event, recognised as the largest and oldest dairy competition in Africa, unfolded over two days of intense judging.
General manager of Agri-Expo Breyton Milford said a record number of 78 dairy producers entered a record number of 1 029 dairy products this year.
Showcasing the best quality
Milford expressed their privilege in showcasing the dairy industry’s top quality producers through this esteemed agricultural event. He highlighted the industry’s confidence in the competition’s ability to set a benchmark for excellence.
Chief judge Graham Sutherland said there was fierce competition at this year’s championships. “Our entries surpassed the 1 000 mark for the first time,” he said.
He noted the championship’s role in stimulating innovation within the industry, acknowledging the tireless efforts of passionate manufacturers dedicated to showcasing their products at the event.
“Managing a competition of this magnitude posed significant challenges of processing over 5 000 scoresheets to determine the final results. However, the dedication and expertise of the judging panel ensured a fair and rigorous evaluation process,” he said.
The SA Dairy Championships featured over 100 classes for cheese, yoghurt, milk, cream, ice cream, butter, and other dairy products. Each category produced a winning product, which was awarded the title of SA Champion, with exceptional entries earning the prestigious qualité mark of excellence reserved for products meeting specific quality criteria.
Fostering key partnerships
Milford extended heartfelt appreciation to their partners for their unwavering support in facilitating the championships. Platinum partners who played instrumental roles in elevating the event to new heights, he added.
Linda Segalla from IMCD South Africa, a leading speciality chemical company in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the event partners, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting excellence in the dairy industry through a new three-year partnership with the SA Dairy Championships.
“Committing to the South African Dairy Championships for the next three years reflects IMCD’s long-term dedication to fostering growth and recognition within the dairy community. With our expertise and commitment to the industry, IMCD is the ideal partner to help elevate the market to new heights,” Segalla said.
The 191st South African Dairy Championships celebrated not only the achievements of dairy producers but also the industry’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality.
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