First Choice dairy products

First Choice is a premier South African dairy brand that originated in 1995. It began as a modest packaging operation for milk produced on Woodlands Farm in the Eastern Cape and has since grown into one of the largest manufacturers of UHT milk in the country. The brand is deeply rooted in the agricultural heartland of the Garden Route, specifically in Humansdorp.

The products are manufactured primarily at the Woodlands Dairy facility in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The company prides itself on sourcing 100% of its milk from South African farmers, particularly those in the lush pasture regions of the Eastern Cape. In recent years, the company expanded its manufacturing footprint by acquiring Fairfield Dairy in KwaZulu-Natal to broaden its production of yoghurts and fresh milk items.

Ownership of the brand remains predominantly within South Africa. Woodlands Dairy, the owner of First Choice, is majority-owned (75%) by Gutsche Family Investments (GFI), a private family business. The remaining 25% stake is held by empowerment partners African Pioneer Group and Nozala Investments, making the brand a significant player in the South African food industry with a strong focus on local sustainability and community development.