The International Fruit Tree Association tour of South Africa Dec. 2–11 also offers opportunities for wine tourism and safaris. (Courtesy International Fruit Tree Association)
The International Fruit Tree Association tour of South Africa Dec. 2–11 also offers opportunities for wine tourism and safaris. (Courtesy International Fruit Tree Association)

Registration is open for the International Fruit Tree Association’s study tour in South Africa, scheduled for December. 

The study tour in the Western Cape area will be held Dec. 2 to 11. Recreational extensions for wine tourism and several safari options, either before or after the study tour, are also offered by tour host Onward Travel.

South Africa, a leading exporter of pears and stone fruit, has been on IFTA’s wish list for a long time, according to IFTA education director Greg Lang. 

“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,” he said in a promotional statement for the tour. “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!”

The study tour will start in Cape Town and visit Stellenbosch University as well as commercial apple, pear, cherry and stone fruit orchards, farm markets, cider production and research farms focused on profitable sustainability in a changing climate. 

Slots on the tour are limited. A companion sightseeing program is also available. For full details about the tour and registration, head to: https://www.iftatravel.com.

—by Kate Prengaman