SA Preserve Champs

preserve the moment,
taste the tradition

THE 2026 SOUTH AFRICAN PRESERVE CHAMPIONSHIPS

The South African Preserve Championships, hosted by Agri-Expo and partners, showcases excellence in South Africa’s agri-processing sector.
  • With more than 100 classes, the competition spans jams, marmalades, chutneys and pickles to pestos and others – celebrating both tradition and creativity.
  • In 2025, the inaugural championships attracted 456 entries from 66 producers – more than double the number anticipated.
  • Now in its second year, the championships continues to set the benchmark for quality preserved fruit and vegetable products.

PROFESSIONAL ENTRY PROCESS

  • All South African-made products already available to the public – in stores, farm stalls, online or at markets – are eligible to enter.
  • The entry fee is R150.00 (excl. VAT) per entry
  • See important dates below. Online entries on this website open Monday 4 May 2026 and close Friday 29 May 2026. 
  • You will find detailed information included in the Class List and the Rules and Regulations. Please note: READ these documents CAREFULLY before entering. 
2026 ENTRIES: important dates
DOWNLOAD THE CLASS LIST
DOWNLOAD THE RULES & REGULATIONS

INDEPENDENT JUDGING

  • Our expert panel of 40 judges includes renowned food experts, chefs, experienced food writers, retail and wholesale specialists, hospitality experts, chef students and selected producers.
  • The panel is led by Chief Judge and respected food expert and training specialist Susina Jooste.
  • The panel adjudicates all entries over one day through a blind tasting process conducted under strict procedures, followed by an independent audit. 

ESTEEMED AWARDS

  • An SA Champion Award is awarded to the highest-scoring product in each class of the championships.
  • A total of 14 category winners will be awarded. 
  • The product achieving the highest overall average point will be awarded the title ‘South African Preserve Product of the Year’.
  • Prize winners are invited to the prestigious awards luncheon along with industry partners and media (on Thursday 27 August 2026 at Eensgezind, Durbanville).
  • All prize winners receive official printed certificates.
  • SA Champion Award winners may use the official sticker to promote their award-winning products for a period of 12 months.
  • Winners are promoted through a media and social media campaign: Follow @AgriExpo1 on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn and join the conversation with #AgriExpo #SAPreserveChamps.
2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT: MAKATAAN TAKES TOP HONOURS
2025: VIEW THE FULL RESULTS

2026 Entries

  • Entries Open
    Monday 4 May 2026
  • Entries Close
    Friday 29 May 2026
  • Delivery of Entries
    ONLY on 21, 22 and 23 July 2026 (08:00-16:00)
    (Note that entry numbers will be provided)
    Delivery address: Agri-Expo, 11 Queen Street, Durbanville
  • Judging
    Wednesday 29 July 2026
    (Championships Panel of Judges only)
    Venue: Eensgezind, Durbanville
  • Awards Ceremony
    Thursday 27 August 2026
    (Luncheon for Invited Guests)
    Venue: Eensgezind, Durbanville
Agri-Expo

THE ORGANISER: AGRI-EXPO

Agri-Expo is a non-profit promotion and marketing organisation serving the South African agricultural sector. Through exhibitions, competitions and public initiatives, the organisation works to advance the interests of its members, agricultural role players, government and the broader public.

Established in 1831 as the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society, Agri-Expo has a proud legacy of more than 190 years in promoting agricultural excellence. Over time, the organisation has played a pioneering role in developing and presenting respected shows and competitions within South Africa’s agricultural and agri-processing industries.

Agri-Expo has received numerous awards for excellence in event management and industry promotion. Its heritage includes launching South Africa’s first wine competition, which continues to be presented annually today. Since 1834, Agri-Expo has also hosted the South African Dairy Championships, recognised as the oldest and largest dairy competition on the African continent.

Based in Durbanville in the Western Cape, Agri-Expo is dedicated to promoting agriculture, with a particular focus on showcasing agri-processing and agricultural products to consumers.

Competitions such as the South African Dairy Championships and the South African Preserve Championships play an important role in recognising excellence, identifying quality products, and celebrating the producers and teams behind them.

For more information, visit www.agriexpo.co.za.

PROVIDING A NATIONAL PLATFORM

The purpose of the SA Preserve Championships is to recognise and reward exceptional quality while providing a national platform to showcase outstanding preserved products.

 

OBJECTIVES

The SA Preserve Championships aims to:
  • Honour top-quality preserved products
  • Raise awareness of preservation and its role in reducing food waste
  • Provide marketing opportunities for entrepreneurs
  • Promote sustainability and industry growth
  • Encourage knowledge-sharing and the raising of standards
  • Inspire the next generation of food entrepreneurs