The International Fruit Tree Association has a 70-year history of exploring fruit tree growing regions around the world.
Participants return home with new orchard ideas, strategies, technologies and connections.
This December, join a group of 100+ IFTA growers, packers, consultants, and educators to visit South Africa’s tree fruit orchards, packing houses, and research trials to learn what makes fruit growing thrive in this spectacular country!
A letter from Greg Lang, IFTA Education Director
Ever wonder why IFTA has been looking forward to the chance to visit South Africa’s orchards since our last Southern Hemisphere trip (New Zealand, 2018)? Pears and peaches were brought to South Africa by the Dutch in 1665, and while commercial apple production did not begin until the 1880s, today it represents the largest (33%) of the country’s diverse deciduous fruit crop industries, dominated by Golden Delicious, Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Fuji. South Africa is a leading international pear exporter, and is the largest stone fruit producer on the African continent, known for exceptional quality in Europe.
The Western Cape, where IFTA will visit, is the largest traditional production region for apples, pears, and stone fruits, and accounts for more than half of all South African apples and pears grown. Sweet cherries are a fast-growing industry in this region as well, with varieties like Bing, Hedelfinger, Royal Dawn, Royal Hazel, and Staccato, supplying exports to the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Europe, Russia, and China. Cherries, apricots and plums should all be ripe when we visit!
With a chance to see tree fruits of every kind, talk with growers about their unique challenges and adoptions of new orchard technologies, and, oh, perhaps see a few exotic animals along the way like baboons, ostriches, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, etc., it is no wonder that South Africa has been high on IFTA’s international study tour planning list for more than a decade!
~ Greg Lang
IFTA Education Director
TRAVELER INFO
Pre-Trip Notes Booklet
Here is an electronic copy of the booklet that was mailed mid June.
Itinerary
PDF
Get all the tour details including day-by-day itinerary and tour fees.
WhatsApp Group
Download WhatsApp in the App Store and use this link, on your smartphone, to join the IFTA group.
Pre Travel Survey
Please complete this Pre Travel Questionnaire, one for each traveler.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Industry Insider Tours
Visit orchards, packing houses, research sites and more, and meet the people shaping the South African fruit industry, in locations including Ceres, Elgin and Stellenbosch.
Active Opportunities
Whether it’s hiking, a canopy zipline adventure or a guided fatbike ride in the sand dunes, there are many chances throughout the tour for participants to get out into nature.
Fabulous South Africa
Spend three nights in dynamic and beautiful Cape Town (pictured) and then a full week in fun, friendly Stellenbosch. Visit wineries, wildlife reserves, scenic parks and more.
A World-Class Wine Region
Taste world-famous wines, and amazing local ciders, with chances to meet the producers and growers and learn about popular local grapes like chenin blanc and pinotage.
Leisure Add-Ons
Make the most of your journey to Africa and come early or stay after the tour for special add-on leisure tours: we'll offer safari, wine tour and adventure packages!
Local Culture & History
South African history is interesting and often difficult - learn how the modern country was born and enjoy the rich tapestry that exists today of people, food, music, art and culture.
TOUR HIGHLIGH
Tour Overview
Following the IFTA Summer Study Tour in Nova Scotia taking place July 23—25, travel to Bergen, Norway, to begin this tour on July 27.
Bergen, Norway
July 27—29 (2 Nights)
Arrive in Bergen, gateway to the fjords. We'll have a festive welcome dinner and a full day of sightseeing including the historic wharf and food market, Fløibanen funicular railway up Mount Fløyen for panoramic views, and much more.
Ballestrand/Sognefjord
July 29—August 1 (3 Nights)
This part of the tour will be based in Balestrand, on the Sognefjorden, Norway’s deepest and longest fjord. It is a small, lush village with hiking and amazing views. We’ll tour the town’s tiny orchards and Ciderhuset, a 5th gen business where they make ciders, juices, wine, and more. We’ll visit Solvern further up the fjord and ferry across to Urnes Stave Church in Ørnes. Enjoy an afternoon for optional activities like RIB boat on the fjord, biking, or kayaking.
Lodging - Kviknes HotelTOUR HOSTS
Greg Lang
IFTA Education Director
Greg Lang is a professor at Michigan State University, where he conducts stone fruit research, teaches a wine education course, and travels the world to speak on fruit production science.
Onward Travel
Molly & Kat
Onward Travel is thrilled to partner with IFTA for another international study tour... Onward uniquely combines travel expertise and industry knowledge for a tour that is as memorable and fun as it is educational!
experience highlights
- View the small and scenic postage stamp orchards lining the fjords, each family owned.
- Learn about Norway’s unique challenges including the northern cold climate, high cost country, and changing economy.
- Visit Bioforsk research center in Ullensvang, hosted by Professor Mekjall Meland.
- Taste apple juice from Hardanger - Norway’s first product with a protected geographical designation. We’ll also visit a juice factory and dine at their farm restaurant.
- Explore another farming industry in Norway: fish farming. We’ll tour Hardanger Akvasenter to learn about salmon farming, a huge industry.
- Visit farm stands, shops, and restaurants to get a look at how Norwegian farmers leverage direct sales and a tourism-based economy.
- Stay at very nice, family owned hotels perched on the fjords.
- See waterfalls, small villages, suspension bridges… driving around the fjordlands is incredible.
- Get to know fellow IFTA members while hiking, kayaking, boating, and exploring.
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