Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026

25-27 May, Business/Strategy and Technical Days | Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West
28 May, Pome Fruit Field Day | EGVV
29 May, Stone Fruit Seminar and Orchard Walk | Simondium

Growing forward in a changing world

The Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026 is a Must-Attend for South African Deciduous Fruit Producers

Growing Forward in a Changing World is more than a theme – it is the reality facing South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry. From market access and biosecurity risks to shrinking crop protection tools, water constraints and climate pressures, the challenges are real.

The Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026 is designed to help producers navigate this complexity with clarity, science and practical insight. The Symposium comprises a Business/ Strategy Day and two Technical Days, taking place from 25 to 27 May at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West. There will also be a Pome Fruit Field Day on 28 May at EGVV and a Stone Fruit Seminar and Orchard Walk on 29 May in Simondium.

This five-day symposium brings together local and international thought leaders, scientists, economists, policymakers, researchers, advisors, industry stakeholders and producers to examine the issues shaping the future of pome and stone fruit and to share solutions that work in the orchard.

Big picture thinking for a volatile world

The Symposium opens with a Business Strategy Day that sets the context for the season ahead. Minister John Steenhuisen opens proceedings, followed by a motivational address from adventurer Riaan Manser and global economic insight from Hendrik du Toit (Ninety One) on productivity, investment and human capital in a shifting world order.

National heavyweights such as Prof. William Gumede and Wandile Sihlobo will tackle hard truths about socio-economics, transformation and shared futures – critical conversations for the sustainability of agriculture in South Africa. Dr Khotso Mokhele will share the Hans Merensky Foundation’s vision to leave a legacy of collaboration, partnership and upliftment in their environment.

The Technical Symposium 2026 Features

Riaan Manser, South African adventurer and author, is famed for cycling around Africa and kayaking around Madagascar, earning global recognition, bestseller books, and the title Adventurer of the Year.

Hendrik du Toit is the Founder and CEO of Ninety One, a global asset manager overseeing over ZAR3.6 trillion, and serves in key leadership roles across major international investment, climate finance, and corporate governance bodies.

Prof William Gumede is a leading public policy scholar and governance expert, serving as Associate Professor at Wits University and founder of Democracy Works Foundation, with extensive advisory roles in South Africa’s government reform, coalition negotiations, and international academic institutions.

Dr Ilse Eigelaar-Meets is a sociologist at Stellenbosch University with extensive government and research experience, specialising in community and rural development, migration, and local governance in South Africa’s non-urban regions.

Wandile Sihlobo is the Chief Economist of Agbiz, a prominent agricultural policy advisor and author, serving on President Ramaphosa’s Economic Advisory Council while holding academic and research roles across leading South African universities.

Dr Khotso Mokhele is a distinguished South African scientist and business leader, currently Chairman of the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation, who has shaped global science and corporate governance through his leadership of major organisations, national research institutions and international scientific bodies.

Tom Barnes is the CEO of Category Partners, a retail insights firm he has grown to more than double its revenue through strategic partnerships, data analytics innovation, and deep expertise in retail and perishables markets.

Rod Bell is the CEO of CropLife South Africa, bringing nearly 30 years of global crop protection experience across technical and commercial leadership roles at American Cyanamid and DuPont.

Prof Marina Joubert is a science communication scholar at Stellenbosch University’s CREST, internationally recognized for her research on public engagement with science and her leadership roles in global science communication networks.

Market access, regulation and the global playing field

With exports central to industry success, producers will gain first-hand insight into the EU Green Deal’s implications, trade barriers, and the process of gaining access to China, with contributions from Prof Christine Wieck (Germany), Wolf Braude (AgBiz), and Hortgro’s own Jacques du Preez. International fresh produce industry specialist Tom Barnes (USA) will offer a valuable perspective on cultivar strategy in an increasingly competitive global market.

Deep technical focus where it matters most

The technical programme examines the issues that directly affect orchard performance and risk management:

Rest-breaking results and future strategies
Biosecurity threats and plant quarantine systems
Managing pests and diseases as active ingredients are lost
Spray efficiency, drift reduction and regulatory compliance
Water use, sustainability and carbon considerations
Emerging pests, viruses and invasive species
Rootstock performance, resilience and orchard design
Technology and innovation that delivers ROI

Respected local experts are joined by leading international voices from Australia, Europe and the USA, ensuring South African producers remain aligned with global best practice while grounded in local realities.

Learning beyond the lecture hall

The Symposium concludes with a pome fruit field day (EGVV) and a stone fruit seminar and orchard walk (Simondium), providing practical, in-orchard learning, and peer engagement.

Who should attend?

If you are a producer, technical manager, advisor, researcher or industry stakeholder invested in the long-term success of South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry, this Symposium is essential. It offers:

Credible, science-based insight
Strategic context for decision-making
Practical tools for orchard resilience
Direct access to leading experts and peers

Symposium Sponsorships

Sponsor our Symposium and help grow and support the deciduous fruit industry.
Become a sponsor
Contact Lindy Sigonyela today: lindy@hortgro.co.za

The Hortgro Technical Symposium 2026 is where strategy meets science; where industry moves forward, together

Registration costs:

R1 200 per Symposium Day (25–27 May) – VAT incl.
R500 Pome Fruit Field Day (28 May) – VAT incl.
R500 Stone Fruit Seminar & Orchard Walk (29 May) – VAT incl.

Discounts:

Early bird registration: 10% discount if attending four days (valid until 31 March)
Student discount: 25% (valid student registration document for 2026 required)

Registration Closed Download Programme