World Dairy Innovation Awards 2026: Celebrating Pioneering Achievements in Dairy
The winners of the World Dairy Innovation Awards 2026 were announced at the 19th Annual Global Dairy Congress. This event marked the culmination of extensive judging processes, which involved an independent panel evaluating submissions from across the dairy value chain, including manufacturing and product innovation.
Francesca Hall, events director at FoodBev Media, remarked on the high level of innovation seen in the submissions, stating that the winners are redefining the role of dairy by integrating function and purpose into their products. This year's awards showcased products delivering targeted nutritional benefits, such as protein and blood sugar management, reflecting the industry's focus heading into 2027.
The Best Artisan Product award was won by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group for their Gonglao’s Hulunbuir Strain Milk Skin Yogurt. In the category of Best Butter/Spread, Meiji Co was recognized for their Meiji Spreadable Aged Cheese Blend. Meanwhile, Vietnam Dairy Products took home the Best Children's Dairy Product award for Vinamilk Optimum A2 Pro+.
In the Dairy Alternatives category, PlanetDairy received top honors for their Hybrid Milk range. The awards also recognized Mengniu Dairy several times, including for Best Dessert with Suibian Crispy! Lava and for Best Dairy Drink with Lullaa NZSmartMilk - BioFusion Functional Dairy System.
Beyond product categories, the awards also celebrated innovations in dairy technology and manufacturing. ColloidTek Oy won the Best Manufacturing Innovation for their Collo Liquid Process Intelligence, which enhances dairy manufacturing processes. The Best Technology Innovation was awarded to JBT Marel for their CIPure system.
The awards ceremony also spotlighted the Best CSR/Sustainability Initiative, which was won by Seoul Dairy Cooperative for their environmentally-friendly packaging. Marketing efforts were recognized as well, with Brownes Dairy winning Best Marketing Campaign for Füll+: Reclaiming 'Fast Food' for a new generation.
The World Dairy Innovation Awards 2026 highlighted the industry's commitment to innovation and adaptation to consumer needs. The event set a high standard for future participants, with the next edition scheduled for 2027.
