The International Pome Fruit Alliance Ltd. (IPA) is a global consortium dedicated to the collaborative development, evaluation, protection, and commercialization of new apple and pear varieties. Operating as a strategic partnership between leading fruit organizations across the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, IPA supports innovation and coordination in the global pome fruit sector.
Organizational Overview
Founded with the purpose of streamlining the international deployment of superior pome fruit cultivars, IPA acts as a centralized platform for:
- Intellectual property (IP) management
- Global licensing and brand strategy
- Evaluation and field testing of new varieties
- Commercial rollout and market development
Headquartered in Pringle Bay, Western Cape, South Africa, IPA provides a neutral and collaborative framework for its members, which include key grower-exporters and marketers from around the world.
Members and Global Presence
IPA members represent industry leaders from six major apple- and pear-producing countries:
- Australia: Apple and Pear Australia Ltd. (APAL)
- New Zealand: Prevar Limited
- South Africa: Hortgro
- Chile: A.N.A. Chile (Asociación de Nuevas Variedades de Manzanas y Peras)
- United States: Next Big Thing Cooperative
- France: IFO (Institut Français des Productions Arboricoles)
Through these member organizations, IPA provides access to a global network of growers, marketers, and researchers with extensive expertise in pome fruit commercialization.
Core Activities
1. Varietal Evaluation and Selection
IPA supports the global evaluation of promising apple and pear varieties under diverse climatic and growing conditions. This includes:
- Trial orchards in multiple hemispheres
- Assessment of agronomic performance, disease resistance, shelf life, and consumer traits
- Independent data collection and benchmarking
2. Licensing and Intellectual Property
The alliance is responsible for:
- Securing plant breeders' rights (PBR) and trademarks in key markets
- Managing master and sub-licensing frameworks
- Ensuring IP protection compliance across jurisdictions
3. Commercialization and Branding
IPA facilitates:
- Global commercialization strategies
- Launch support and brand development
- Alignment of marketing efforts across member countries
Its key brand to date is EverCrisp™, a high-performing apple variety originating from the US, currently being trialed and launched in new markets through IPA’s network.
Product and Variety Focus
IPA's portfolio includes high-potential proprietary cultivars aimed at:
- Enhanced consumer experience – flavor, crunch, visual appeal
- Extended post-harvest life
- Adaptability to different climate zones
- Improved yield and disease resistance
Current varieties under trial or rollout include:
- EverCrisp™: Sweet, dense, and long-storing apple (Honeycrisp × Fuji hybrid)
- Additional experimental cultivars from US and European breeding programs
Impact and Reach
- Global trial sites: Over 60 locations spanning both hemispheres
- Access to more than 100,000 hectares of commercial pome fruit production via member networks
- Unified global IP strategy, reducing duplication and cost for breeding programs
- Fast-track commercialization supported by synchronized branding and market launch strategies
Strategic Objectives
- Accelerate international adoption of high-performance apple and pear varieties
- Protect plant breeder rights globally through harmonized legal frameworks
- Support grower profitability through exclusive market opportunities and brand premiums
- Enhance consumer satisfaction by delivering consistent, flavorful, and appealing fruits
Certifications and Compliance
All IPA activities are aligned with:
- UPOV conventions for plant variety protection
- National plant health and quarantine regulations
- Export compliance protocols in regulated markets
- Traceability and licensing control systems
Stakeholder Feedback
“IPA provides a powerful mechanism to bring the best varieties to market faster, with strong IP protection and shared international learning.”
— CEO, Member Exporter Organization
“Through IPA, we have access to a broader network of varieties, better market insight, and a collaborative framework to maximize returns for growers.”
— Head of Horticulture, Marketing Partner
Major Achievements
- Established the global licensing framework for EverCrisp™, facilitating its expansion into Southern Hemisphere markets
- Created a standardized global trial network, harmonizing evaluation protocols across continents
- Reduced time-to-market for promising cultivars through joint market entry strategies
- Strengthened cross-hemisphere innovation pipelines, aligning breeding goals with consumer trends
The International Pome Fruit Alliance continues to set new standards for how high-value fruit varieties are developed, protected, and brought to global markets. Through strategic collaboration, rigorous evaluation, and coordinated commercialization, IPA is shaping the future of the global apple and pear industry.