Agri-Expo bags award for its partnership innovations in agriculture

Ahead of the 31st Commonwealth Agriculture Conference of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) in Cape Town, the event organiser, Agri-Expo, has bagged the Industry Innovation Award at the 2026 Western Cape Economy Innovation Awards by the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

Acknowledging the award as an encouragement to the agricultural society's vision in building industrial partnerships and uplifting rural economies, Agri-Expo's general manager, Breyton Milford, said, “For us, this award is ultimately about people – the producers, entrepreneurs, innovators, volunteers and communities who help drive agriculture forward every day.” 

“Thank you to Agri Western Cape for nominating us and for championing collaboration across the agricultural sector. We are proud to share this achievement with our members, partners and the broader agricultural community,” he said 

The company hitting its 195th anniversary in 2026 is another milestone which makes the award extra special for the team. “The award highlights the organisation’s ability to honour its legacy while continuing to evolve in step with the needs of the agricultural sector. From the introduction of the Hollard Game Changer Award and the South African Preserve Championships to the ongoing evolution of the South African Dairy Championships and our support of agricultural shows, innovation remains at the heart of everything we do,” Milford says.

“This acknowledges the impact of our unique multi-platform model that brings together producers, industry, government and markets to create opportunities for growth across the agricultural value chain,” Milford says. “We are particularly proud that this award recognises both new initiatives and the continuous renewal of longstanding projects.”

Nominees were assessed against strict, results-based criteria, including measurable economic impact, practical innovation and the number of local businesses and employees directly benefiting from each initiative. The awards also highlight 'systemic innovation' – the redesign of interconnected systems, supply chains and collaborative models that generate shared value across multiple stakeholders.