Samples from Brazilian and foreign producers will be evaluated during the competition
The first cheeses registered for the International Competition of ExpoQueijo Brasil 2026 began arriving at the Grande Hotel e Termas de Araxá this Thursday (25), marking the start of one of the event’s most anticipated stages. The samples will undergo technical evaluation during the Araxá International Cheese Awards, considered the largest cheese competition in the Americas. This year, the competition brings together representatives from 19 countries and approximately one thousand registered cheeses.
The 2026 edition reinforces the international character of ExpoQueijo by gathering samples from different regions of the Americas and Europe. Producers from Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Spain, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Uruguay are participating. The diversity of origins brings together different traditions, production methods, and gastronomic identities in a competition that has established itself as one of the most relevant in the sector.
Among the participants is producer Caio César Miguel from Araxá, who sees ExpoQueijo as an opportunity to value the work developed in artisanal production. “It’s a major cheese event. For us, participating is a great source of pride. The expectation is to win gold. Our cheese is what we produce daily, with a lot of hard work and dedication at the cheese dairy,” he highlights.
Representing a consortium of municipalities in the Brazópolis region, in southern Minas Gerais, Letícia Silva Oliveira de Sousa is participating in ExpoQueijo for the first time and brought a sample produced in the region to the competition. According to her, the competition plays an important role in promoting producers and strengthening the image of artisanal cheeses in the consumer market.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to present their products, show the quality of what they produce, and gain this recognition in such a renowned competition. The possibility of winning medals also helps bring these products to the public in a more reliable and safe way,” Letícia emphasizes.
The evaluations will be carried out by specialized judges during the three stages of the international competition. The cheeses undergo blind technical analyses, without identification of origin or brand, following criteria that consider attributes such as overall appearance, texture, aroma, consistency, and flavor.
The winners’ award ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 PM at the Cine-Teatro Tiradentes, where the medalists in each category and the winner of the Super Gold, the competition’s top recognition, will be announced.