Crème de la crème in SA Dairy Championships announced

Two in a row

For the second year in a row, Parmalat's 10-month Mature Gouda made especially for Woolworths, was announced the South African Dairy Product of the Year for the second year in a row at the Agri-Expo Qualité Awards Gala Dinner.

#sadairychamps #dairyproductoftheyear goes to #ParmalatSA for their @WOOLWORTHS_SA Mature Gouda 10 months – for the 2nd year in a row! What an achievement! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/oVR6OjZz46

— Agri-Expo (@AgriExpo1) March 23, 2018

“For a product to be chosen as Dairy Product of the Year in a competition of this nature is a long and difficult journey and the dream of every dairy technologist,” says chief judge and international dairy expert Kobus Mulder. “That the honour befalls this year's winner of the prestigious title for the second year in a row, is exceptional. Not only is it an extraordinary performance, but also a proof of sustained good manufacturing practices and quality control by the personnel of the manufacturer. Technically and gastronomically the Parmalat 10-months Mature Gouda is as close to perfection as a food product can come.”

“This is the third time in nine years we have won the Product of the Year award for one our cheeses, a clear indication of just how high the quality of our products is and how dedicated and diligent our teams are,” says Cathy Eve, Parmalat SA marketing executive.

2018 Qualité Awards winners:

Parmalat SA (7):

Woolworths Matured Gouda 10 Months
Woolworth Vintage Cheddar – White
Woolworths Matured Gouda 20 Months
President Matured Gouda 6 Months
UHT Low Fat Milk
Medium Fat Yoghurt - Choc Chip
Medium Fat Yoghurt - Fruited – Strawberry

Belnori Boutique Cheesery (4)

Kabaka
Kalabash
Highvelder Classic
Tanglewood

Baris Cheese

Vliedermaus - Bloomy Rind with Vegetable Ash

Coega Dairy

Ritebrand UHT Low Fat Milk

Dalewood Fromage

Boland

Dutch Goat Farm

Goat's Gouda

Fair Cape Dairies

Full Cream Yoghurt - Vanilla Flavoured with Chocolate Chips

Ladismith Cheese Company

Round Gouda

Langbaken Karoo Cheese

Karoo Crumble

Johan Ludolf (Parmalat SA), Selwyn Claassen (Parmalat SA), Johan Ehlers (Agri-Expo CEO), Eugene Swartz (Parmalat GM). Image Supplied

185 years celebrated with a record number of entries

The SA Dairy Championships has been presented with great success by Agri-Expo since 1834. "The Championships has grown to ten categories this year with more than 100 classes for end products in the processing line of the industry," says Johan Ehlers, chief executive officer of Agri-Expo.

"The increase in entries over the past few years emphasises the importance of this championship for individuals, small and medium enterprises, as well as national and international companies. This year's results reflect an innovative industry and healthy competition among larger manufacturers and smaller entrepreneurs, with a total of seven Qualité's awarded to Parmalat, four to Belnori Boutique Cheesery and a good division between the other winners. In addition, no less than 15 producers are newcomers to this year’s competition.”

For more information and full results visit SA Cheese.