In a countrywide search for the best dairy products, more than 900 products were entered into the 2022 South African Dairy Championships.
The championships, hosted for the 189th year by Agri-Expo, is the largest and oldest dairy competition in Africa. The Agri-Expo has been hosting the competition since 1834.
A total of 68 manufacturers entered 920 dairy products this year.
A competition of this nature requires a stringent management process which includes online entries, class divisions, the cold chain of products entered, a compilation of judges and its auditing, to the final announcement of the winners.
The competition has a team of 30 judges led by the chief judge, Alan Fourie. For the South African Dairy Championships, more than 100 classes of a vast variety of dairy products are evaluated.
Judging for the competition was hosted last week Thursday and Friday, at Elsenburg outside Stellenbosch.
The assessment process involves three aspects of sensory evaluation. These are flavour and taste, appearance and composition and texture.
Fourie said the improvement in product quality was the highlight of this year’s championships.
"Only the best of the best from each manufacturer is entered, and it is gratifying that the South African dairy industry is performing year after year,” he said.
He added: “This year, more than a quarter of the judges were a new team, which means that the championships are a learning experience where people from the industry are exposed to the full scope of dairy products.”
“They find it educational and strategically valuable for product development and innovation.”
Chief executive at Agri-Expo, Johan Ehlers, said the championships set the national benchmark for large and small manufacturers and international manufacturers to measure themselves against each year.
“Certain manufacturers use the results as performance appraisal, which emphasises the value attached to the competition,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Synercore, a platinum partner of the SA Dairy Championships, Dr Tertius Cilliers said the key to continued success in the South African dairy industry depends on the ability to adapt, innovate and collaborate.
“Whether you are a primary or secondary producer, supplier, wholesaler or retailer, more than ever before, we will need to embrace and promote the benefits of dairy," he said.
He added: “The championships provide an excellent platform and opportunity where you will find marketing and celebrating the value of excellence in the South African dairy industry.”
Each class winner will be crowned the SA Champion. Products of exceptional quality will receive the Qualité award, the only mark of quality and recognition for dairy products in South Africa.
The winners will be announced at the South African Dairy Awards on Friday, March 26, at Cavalli Estate in Stellenbosch. If you’re interested in attending online or in person, more information is available at www.cheesesa.co.za and www.agriexpo.co.za.