ESNEKI, the main meeting point for the Basque dairy sector
The 5th edition of ESNEKI, the Special Fair and Competition for Cheeses and Dairy Products of Euskal Herria, will take place on 6 and 7 November. The event is organised by the Tolosa Town Council, the Basque Government’s Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries, and HAZI, with the collaboration of Leartiker ESNEKI ZENTROA, Mantala Basque Gastronomy, EFRIFE, GIFE, Tolomendi and the Basque Dairy Producers Association (EEE).
This annual event has become firmly established over the years and aims to promote the value of dairy production in Euskal Herria, strengthen relationships among industry professionals, and bring the reality of milk production and processing closer to the public.
If you would like to take part in this fifth edition, registration is now open.
If you wish to participate as a producer in the 5th Special Fair of Cheeses and Dairy Products of Euskal Herria, registration will remain open until 14 October.
If you would like to submit your products to the 5th ESNEKI Competition, registration will remain open until 23 October.
This year, ESNEKI celebrates its fifth edition, further consolidating its position as one of the leading events in the Basque dairy sector. It was established in 2022 with a clear objective: to showcase the work of dairy producers in Euskal Herria, highlight the value of the sector, and create a meeting point for professionals involved in milk processing and dairy production.
While cheese fairs and related events already existed, there was no initiative bringing together producers from all three dairy species (cow, sheep and goat) or showcasing the full diversity of dairy products produced in Euskal Herria. ESNEKI was created to fill this gap and has quickly become one of the sector’s most important showcases.
In less than five years, ESNEKI has established itself as a benchmark event. Beyond serving as a meeting point for producers, professionals and consumers, it has become a strategic platform for demonstrating the diversity, excellence and continuous evolution of the Basque dairy sector.
A Programme for All Audiences
ESNEKI takes place over two days, Friday and Saturday, offering activities for both industry professionals and the general public. Throughout the event, outreach, training and dairy sector promotion are combined, with Saturday serving as the main day for the fair, the competition and most public activities.
Over the years, ESNEKI has developed a broad and diverse programme that includes technical conferences, educational activities, guided tastings, family-oriented experiences and the producers’ fair itself. Thanks to this, it has become a unique space for bringing the world of dairy production closer to society and promoting knowledge about the sector.
The ESNEKI Competition: The Sector’s Main Showcase
Without doubt, one of the highlights of ESNEKI is its dairy products competition. Year after year, it has become a leading event for recognising the work, quality and expertise of dairy producers across Euskal Herria.
Each edition features around 100 dairy products competing across a range of categories. The competition reflects the richness and diversity of the sector, including pasteurised milk, yoghurts, cheese spreads, fresh cheeses, soft cheeses, blue cheeses, mature cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s cheeses, as well as cooked-curd cheeses.
These products may be made using milk produced on the cheesemaker’s own farm or milk purchased from nearby dairy farmers, representing the diversity of dairy production models found throughout Euskal Herria.
In addition to awarding prizes in each category, the competition grants a special distinction known as the “Champion of Champions”, recognising the best cheese in Euskal Herria of the year.
One of the competition’s most distinctive features is its evaluation process. Every year, a jury composed of around 40 professionals linked to the dairy sector participates in the tasting and assessment. Producers, technicians, chefs, marketing specialists and other industry professionals analyse each product’s quality, organoleptic characteristics, uniqueness and added value.
The tastings and evaluations are conducted publicly. While the jury assesses the products, visitors are given the opportunity to sample many of the entries, encouraging direct interaction between producers and consumers.
The competition results not only reward the best products, but also showcase the strength, diversity and continuous development of the Basque dairy sector.
What Will ESNEKI Offer This Year?
The fifth edition of ESNEKI will once again feature a wide-ranging programme of activities for both professionals and the general public.
Activities will begin on 6 November, when students from several schools in Tolosa will enjoy dairy breakfasts organised by the Basque Dairy Producers Association (EEE). On the same day, technical conferences for professionals will be held at the Tolosa Culture House, organised by ESNEKI ZENTROA within the framework of the European POCTEFA Know and Cheese project.
In addition, EFRIFE and GIFE will organise several activities at Alondegia, while Mantala Basque Gastronomy will run the children’s workshop “From Udder to Table”, designed to introduce youngsters to the journey of milk from production to consumption.
Saturday will bring the most anticipated events of the programme. Early in the morning, a workshop organised by EFRIFE and GIFE will explain the criteria and judging system used in Friesian cattle competitions. Family activities under the banner “Esnetan” and a fresh cheese-making workshop organised by the Basque Dairy Producers Association will also take place.
The main attractions of the day will be the 5th Special Fair of Cheeses and Dairy Products of Euskal Herria and the 5th ESNEKI Competition. The fair, located in Plaza Triángulo, will bring together a large number of dairy producers from across Euskal Herria, giving visitors the opportunity to discover, taste and purchase their products.
At the same time, the Beotibar Fronton will host the competition for cheeses and dairy products, organised by ESNEKI ZENTROA.
Alongside the competition, visitors will be able to take part in the Euskal Herria Cheese Table, a guided tasting designed to showcase the diversity and richness of the region’s cheeses.
The event will conclude with the 5th ESNEKI Awards Ceremony, where this year’s most outstanding cheeses and dairy products will be recognised.
A Tool for Strengthening the Sector
Now in its fifth edition, ESNEKI remains committed to the goals that inspired its creation: promoting local dairy production, encouraging cooperation between producers, driving innovation and helping society better understand the work behind high-quality dairy products.
Year after year, this initiative demonstrates that the dairy sector of Euskal Herria is strong, diverse and full of potential, while ESNEKI continues to provide a privileged platform for showcasing that reality.
Would You Like to Participate?
If you would like to become part of this fifth edition, there is still time to register.
Participation in the 5th Special Fair of Cheeses and Dairy Products of Euskal Herria
Registration open until 14 October.
Participation in the 5th ESNEKI Competition
Registration open until 23 October.
In the coming weeks, registration will also open for public activities such as the Euskal Herria Cheese Table, family workshops and the rest of the programme.