Paraguay won two gold medals at the World Steak Challenge 2026, an international beef competition held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The country received gold medals for a grass-fed ribeye and a grass-fed sirloin, both entered by Minerva Foods. The competition featured 470 beef samples from 30 countries, bringing together producers from around the world.
An international judging panel evaluated the entries based on characteristics including flavour, tenderness and texture. Paraguay’s two gold medals placed its beef among the products recognised in the competition’s 2026 edition.
Gold for Paraguay’s grass-fed ribeye
The first Paraguayan award highlighted a grass-fed ribeye. The cut received a gold medal in its category, placing the Paraguayan entry among the products recognised by the competition’s international judging panel. The ribeye comes from the rib section of the animal and is valued for its flavour and intramuscular fat. Its characteristics can vary depending on factors such as cattle genetics, feeding practices, and the handling of the meat throughout production.
A second gold medal for the sirloin
Paraguay also secured gold for a grass-fed sirloin in the same competition. The result gave the country two gold medal entries across separate beef cuts in the 2026 edition. The sirloin is taken from the back of the animal and is widely used in steaks served in restaurants and homes. Its quality depends on several factors, including the animal’s development, feeding regime and processing methods.
How the World Steak Challenge judges beef
Established in 2015, the World Steak Challenge brings together producers from different countries to compete in an international assessment of beef quality. Entries are evaluated across multiple categories, allowing different cuts and production systems to be compared.
The judging process includes assessments of raw and cooked beef, with attention to appearance, marbling, tenderness, flavour and texture. Blind tasting helps judges focus on the products themselves rather than on the reputation of their producers or countries.
The competition awards bronze, silver and gold medals, alongside distinctions for leading cuts and production categories. In World Steak Challenge 2026, organisers reported 328 medals across the competition, including 128 gold, 114 silver and 86 bronze awards. The event covers different feeding systems, including grass-fed and grain-fed production. Australia’s Senku Pure Wagyu fillet, produced by Paradigm Foods, received the overall’s World’s Best Steak title in 2026. Other category winners included producers from Ireland, Japan, Chile and an international range of successful entries.
In 2026, Paraguay’s cattle industry has also earned international recognition. A Braford cow from Paraguay was named the best in the world at a competition in the United States.
