Entries are now open for the Brazil Cheese Awards 2026, the largest national competition dedicated to promoting artisanal cheeses and the Brazilian dairy industry. The 9th edition is part of the Festival Nacional do Queijo 2026, taking place from July 23 to 26, 2026, at the Parque Vila Germânica in Blumenau, southern Brazil.
Created in 2014, the competition has become one of the main showcases of Brazilian cheese production, bringing together producers, affineurs, experts and judges in a blind tasting evaluation process. The goal is to recognize product excellence, promote regional identity and support the development of the dairy sector.
The 2026 edition introduces important innovations, including a new Dairy Products category, which now includes butter, yogurt, ricotta, kefir and dulce de leche. A new feta-style cheese subcategory has also been added, reflecting the growing diversity of artisanal production in Brazil.
Another highlight is the introduction of state-level awards, recognizing the best cheese, dulce de leche and dairy product from each Brazilian state, increasing visibility for regional producers.
The competition also strengthens its credibility with improvements in governance, traceability and evaluation methodology, ensuring a more transparent and reliable judging process.
Registrations are open until June 19, 2026. Sample evaluations will take place on July 21 and 22, with winners announced on July 24 during the event.
Producers can access the full regulations and submit their entries through the official website.
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