Press release. Feature photo: Hennie van Loggerenberg/OCTA 5.
A handcrafted burrata from Puglia Cheese in Somerset West has been named the 2026 South African Dairy Product of the Year at the SA Dairy Awards, held on Thursday 23 April at Nederburg in Paarl.
Made from 100% South African milk, the burrata stood out among a record 1 227 entries from 81 producers in this year’s SA Dairy Championships, the largest and longest-running dairy competition in Africa.
A panel of 130 judges assessed entries over three days. In total, 122 products were named SA Champions as class winners, while 36 products received the Qualité mark – the only official mark of excellence in the South African dairy industry.
Chief judge Graham Sutherland says the winning product reflects both technical skill and authenticity. “Having recently spent time working in Italy, it is especially rewarding to see a product like Puglia’s burrata recognised at this level. It is a true celebration of Italian cheesemaking tradition – a fresh pasta filata cheese with a delicate outer shell and rich, creamy interior that delivers both balance and indulgence. It captures the essence of la bella vita.”
Burrata is a fresh mozzarella-style cheese filled with cream and shredded curds (stracciatella), known for its soft exterior and rich, creamy centre, typically served at room temperature.
Above: Product of the Year Puglia Burrata 2026, photo by Hennie van Loggerenberg Octa 5
Puglia Cheese founders, Davide and Ursula Ostini, say the recognition is a proud moment for the team. “This award reflects years of dedication to quality and a deep respect for traditional cheesemaking techniques, adapted for local conditions. Established in 2010 after we moved from Italy, Puglia Cheese pioneered the production of burrata in South Africa, born from a desire to bring authentic, high-quality Italian cheese to the local market. We are proud to produce a product that stands alongside the best.”
According to Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo, the results reflect both innovation and resilience in the dairy sector. “The record number of entries and consistently high standard of products point to a competitive and forward-moving industry, with both established producers and smaller players continuing to raise the bar.”
Milford congratulated leading performers in this year’s Qualité Awards, including Lactalis South Africa (eight awards), Clover (three), Fairfield Dairy (three), Fair Cape Dairies (two), Ladismith Cheese Company (two), Lancewood (two) and Polar Ice Cream Company (two). “A wide range of other producers has also been recognised for outstanding quality, including Dalewood Fromage, which received an honourable mention for third place overall for its Full Cream Jersey Milk, while second place overall was awarded to Lactalis South Africa for its Woolworths Mature Gouda – 10 months.”
Game Changer Award recognises emerging talent
Agri-Expo also honoured 32-year-old Courtenay van der Merwe, New Product Development Manager at Fair Cape Dairies, with the third annual Hollard Game Changer Award. The award, which includes a cash prize of R50 000 sponsored by Hollard, recognises young professionals making a measurable impact in the dairy industry.
Industry support remains key
“A project of this scale is only possible through strong industry collaboration,” says Milford. “We thank our platinum partners IMCD South Africa and dsm-firmenich; our diamond partners Novonesis, SIG and Synercore; our gold partners Woolworths, Condio, Hollard, Checkers, IFF, Orchem and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture; our silver partners Mane, SPAR and Fruitique; and our bronze partners Agrana Fruit, Polyoak Packaging, Tetra Pak and Ecowize.”
Natasha de Lange, Managing Director of IMCD South Africa, says their involvement reflects a long-term commitment to the sector. “Supporting dairy excellence with purpose is more than a campaign line for us; it reflects how we work every day. We are proud to stand alongside the industry as Platinum Partner of the 2026 SA Dairy Championships and celebrate the people and products driving dairy forward.”
Back from left are Ali Rahal of platinum partner dsm-firmenich, Natasha de Lange of platinum partner IMCD, Craig Roelf of dsm-firmenich, and Chris Fourie, President of Agri-Expo. Front from left Chris Slabbert of IMCD, Davide Ostuni, owner of Puglia Cheese, Breyton Milford, GM of Agri-Expo, and Graham Sutherland, Chief Judge of the SA Dairy Championships.
Photo: Natalie Gabriels Photography.
Above:
Back from left David Payne (Fair Cape Dairies), Alex Zabbia (Synercore), Riaan October (Lancewood), Natalie Harmse (SIG), Ernst Marais (Ladismith Cheese), Dr Sebopetsa Mogale (Western Cape Department of Agriculture), Johann Gelderblom (Dairy Corporation), Coreen du Toit (MANE South Africa), Justin Kuhn (Babylonstoren), Dalene Juggan (Orchem), Heinrich du Preez (Dalewood Fromage), Sandra Zuvel (IFF), Marisa Maccaferri (Woodlands Dairy), Mariesa Vorster (Checkers), Chris Slabbert (IMCD), Christopher Catto (Goat Peter), Chipo Kamukwamba (Clover SA), Stuart Wade (Clover SA), Bradwin Bosman (Clover SA) and Bryn Thomas (SIG Combibloc).
Front from left: David Cuff (Woolworths), Jenny Lombard (Novonesis), Anele Javu (Fairview Cheese), Carey Brooks (Fairfield Dairy), Ashraf Mohamed (Polar Ice Cream), Mario Jumat (Lactalis South Africa), Lourens Heyns (Lactalis South Africa), Priscilla Mangachena (Puglia Cheese), Norman Belcher (Belnori Boutique Cheesery), Margot Snyman (Heidelswiss Creamery), Zanell van der Nist (Kleinkraal Suiwel), Sabrina Steyn (Mooivallei Suiwel) and André van Zanten (Dairy Group).
For more information, visit https://dairychamps.co.za, call 021 863 1599 / 083 440 1628, or email [email protected].
