It is the celebration of the work done on farms and the main reason for the existence of ExpoQueijo! The contest represents the crowning of the history and dedication of each person who lives and helps keep the artisan cheese tradition alive. The International Contest brings visibility to products and producers and encourages improvements in the production process.
Over the years, more than three thousand artisan cheeses from around the world have been registered and evaluated at ExpoQueijo Brasil. Hundreds have been awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals and have gained recognition in national and international markets.
In four years, more than fifteen countries and all Brazilian states have been represented in the International Contest, reflecting the growing production of valued artisan cheeses. In 2025, EXPOQUEIJO BRASIL continues this mission, aiming to reach twenty countries represented in the contest.
ExpoQueijo takes place in the Barreiro Complex, one of the most beautiful landmarks in Brazil. The event is held in the outdoor area and inside the halls of the Grande Hotel de Araxá, one of the most stunning castles in Latin America, built during the glamorous 1940s. It is a historical heritage site, surrounded by the gardens of Roberto Burle Marx — an internationally renowned Brazilian visual artist and landscape designer, and one of the pioneers in advocating for the preservation of tropical forests — and features a wide leisure area.
A celebration of Minas Gerais’ tradition and diversity.
Opportunities and connections for the sector.
Training and innovation for cheese producers.
Cheese, culture, and gastronomy in perfect harmony.
Araxá is located in the macro-region of Triângulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaíba. The Romeu Zema Municipal Airport receives daily flights from Azul Airlines. The city has access to the main cities in the country via several highways and is crossed by BR-262 (Uberaba/Araxá | Araxá/BH), BR-452 (Araxá/Uberlândia), BR-146 (Araxá/Patos de Minas), and MG-428 (Araxá/Sacramento – Border with the State of São Paulo). It also offers daily intercity and interstate bus transportation services.
Each year, ExpoQueijo Brasil proves its importance and visibility to the public, supporters, sponsors, and partners through a growing number of visitors. In the first edition, 21,000 people attended the event. The following year, we reached 25,000 attendees. In 2023, we hit 43,000 visitors at ExpoQueijo Brasil. And in 2024, ExpoQueijo Brasil broke new records with more than 57,000 people passing through the Barreiro Complex.
Economic contribution includes increased revenue and income distribution, as well as the generation of temporary jobs. All of this is combined with the appreciation of family farming, rural labor, and the diversity of products from the Minas Gerais and Brazilian economies. ExpoQueijo is also a social media and press success story. Just last year, there were 357 articles about ExpoQueijo around the world, reaching millions of people.
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