India’s debut performance at the competition, held from April 16 to 19, 2026, in São Paulo, included one Super Gold, two Gold, and one Silver medal, highlighting growing international recognition for its traditional and specialty cheeses. In a statement shared on social media, Modi described the achievement as a significant milestone for Indian dairy products on the global stage.

The Super Gold award was presented to Eleftheria Gulmarg, a Brie-style cheese, while Gold medals were awarded to Yak Churpi-Soft from Ladakh and Eleftheria Brunost, a whey-based cheese. The Silver medal went to Eleftheria Kaali Miri, inspired by the Belper Knolle style. Three of the four winning entries were produced by cheesemaker Mausam Narang, with the remaining award going to Thenlay Nurboo.

The National Dairy Development Board also acknowledged the achievement, noting that the awards underscore increasing global interest in India’s indigenous dairy traditions. The board emphasized that such recognition could support the expansion of India’s artisanal cheese sector in international markets.

The competition is among Latin America’s largest dairy events, drawing more than 2,700 entries from 30 countries. Approximately 350 expert judges from Brazil and abroad evaluated submissions through a two-stage process, assessing appearance, texture, aroma, and flavor. Top entries in the Super Gold category advanced to a final round to determine overall champions.

India’s strong showing at the event signals a broader shift in the global perception of its dairy industry, traditionally known for mass production, toward a growing reputation for high-quality, artisanal products.