Entries Open for 2026 South African Dairy Championships
Entries Open for 2026 South African Dairy Championships. Agri-Expo has officially opened entries for the 2026 South African Dairy Championships, inviting dairy producers from across the country to take part in the 193rd edition of Africa’s oldest and largest dairy competition.
The annual championships are a longstanding platform for recognising excellence in dairy production and attract participation from large, medium and small producers. Each year, close to 1,000 dairy products are entered across more than 100 competition classes. Products are assessed by an independent panel of expert judges, with winners in each category awarded the title of SA Champion. Only entries that meet the highest standards qualify for the Qualité Mark of Excellence, while the top-scoring product overall is named Product of the Year.
The scale and credibility of the competition were underscored during the previous edition, when 1,110 dairy products from 77 producers were evaluated. Judging took place over three days and involved 103 judges drawn from 47 companies. The process resulted in 114 SA Champion titles being awarded, along with 30 products receiving the Qualité accolade.
Agri-Expo general manager Breyton Milford said the championships continue to play an important role in the local dairy sector by providing a trusted benchmark for quality. He noted that sustained growth in participation reflects the value producers place on independent and credible evaluation of their products. According to Milford, the competition also helps ensure that high-quality dairy products gain visibility and recognition among consumers.
Key dates for the 2026 championships have been confirmed. Entries close on Monday, 23 February 2026. Product deliveries are scheduled for 23 and 24 March 2026 at Eensgezind in Durbanville, followed by judging from 25 to 27 March 2026 at the same venue. The SA Dairy Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, 23 April 2026, at Nederburg in Paarl.
Producers can submit their entries online via the official South African Dairy Championships platform. The 2026 competition is supported by platinum partners IMCD and dsm-firmenich, together with other industry sponsors.
