There are 7,000 fruit growers in South Tyrol who produce around 950,000 tonnes of apples every year - one in ten apples consumed in Europe.
The cultivation area stretches from Salurn in the south through the Etsch Valley to the Vinschgau Valley.
Around 18 varieties are grown on the two to three hectare farms:

The sweet and mild Idared, for example, the tart Elstar or the crisp Pinova.
And thanks to this diversity of varieties and the different altitudes, there are apples fresh from the tree practically all year round in the region.

At the beginning of October, the community crowns its apple queen - and celebrates the event with a big parade.
With the harvest procession, the reigning apple queen also comes to Natz with the new aspirants.
The election and coronation of the new monarch is a highlight of the festivities.

Another is the traditional strudel cutting with which the newly crowned queen begins her term of office.
Entertainment music and a farmer's market with South Tyrolean products provide the setting. And of course, visitors can sample the various freshly harvested apples.