Exhibiting at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025

ITUM – Investigación y Tecnología de Uva de Mesa is a Spanish table grape breeding and development consortium headquartered in the Region of Murcia, Spain. Established in 2002, ITUM is composed of 24 of the leading grape-growing companies in the region and operates in partnership with IMIDA (Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Development). The organization is dedicated to developing, commercializing, and protecting new, high-quality seedless grape varieties optimized for modern consumer preferences and sustainable production.

Core Business and Objectives

ITUM’s mission is to provide the global table grape industry with innovative seedless varieties that excel in flavor, shelf life, disease resistance, and climate adaptability. It manages the entire process of varietal development from research and breeding to licensing and technical support for growers worldwide.

Key Functions:

• Grape breeding and R&D
• Field trials and agronomic evaluation
• Intellectual property and licensing
• Global commercialization strategies
• Technical guidance for producers and nurseries

Varietal Portfolio

ITUM’s breeding program has resulted in the release of over 20 commercial table grape varieties, tailored to early, mid, and late-season harvest windows. The varieties span red, white, and black seedless categories, many with unique flavor profiles and high Brix levels.

Selected Varieties:

• Itumfifteen

  • Red seedless, early harvest
  • Muscat flavor with high powdery mildew tolerance
  • Excellent coloration without the need for ethephon

• Itumseventeen

  • Red seedless, mid to late-season
  • Crunchy texture, balanced muscat flavor
  • Brix: 22–25°N

• Itumseven

  • White seedless, mid-season
  • Neutral flavor, large berries and bunches
  • Excellent shipping durability

All varieties are protected under Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) and commercialized through international partnerships.

R&D and Agronomic Innovation

ITUM collaborates with IMIDA and other scientific partners to perform extensive field trials, selecting varieties based on:

• Disease resistance (powdery mildew, downy mildew)
• Reduced need for agrochemicals
• Low chilling requirements for global adaptability
• Consumer appeal: flavor, texture, and color
• Post-harvest performance and exportability

Each new variety undergoes multi-year testing in Murcia and is later evaluated in international trial sites across different climates and continents.

Global Footprint and Licensing

ITUM’s varieties are grown not only across Spain but also licensed for production in:

• Chile
• Peru
• South Africa
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Australia
• USA

The consortium’s licensing partners receive technical agronomic support and access to exclusive commercial programs.

Cultivation Scale:

• 1,250+ hectares planted with ITUM varieties in Spain
• Represents ~20% of Murcia’s grape-growing area
• Steady expansion in overseas vineyards through sublicensing models

Industry Impact

Murcia is Spain’s largest table grape-producing region, and ITUM has become a driving force behind its international competitiveness. Its varieties meet the demand for premium seedless grapes required by supermarkets in:

• European Union (Germany, UK, Netherlands)
• Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Korea)
• North America (pilot programs)

Certifications and Compliance

While ITUM itself is a breeder and not a packer/exporter, all associated growers and licensees comply with:

• GlobalG.A.P.
• GRASP
• ISO standards
• National phytosanitary regulations
• Plant Breeder’s Rights (UPOV) and EU CPVO compliance

Strategic Partnerships

• IMIDA (Murcia’s agri-research institute) – joint R&D
• 24 grower companies – founders and stakeholders
• Authorized nurseries and sublicensors in licensed countries
• Collaboration with international supermarkets and marketers for varietal trialing

Key Achievements

• Released 20+ proprietary seedless grape varieties to commercial production
• Expanded international licensing across 6 continents
• Developed early-season red and white varieties to fill market gaps
• Reduced chemical dependency in viticulture through disease-tolerant genetics
• Became a reference in Mediterranean grape breeding

Testimonials

“The Itumfifteen variety is now a key offering in our early-season grape program. Its performance and flavor are outstanding.”
— European Fruit Importer

“ITUM’s breeding program is one of the most disciplined and commercially aligned in the world. Their material has strong market potential.”
— Grape Sublicensor, South Africa

ITUM – Investigación y Tecnología de Uva de Mesa continues to reshape the global table grape landscape through innovation, sustainability, and commercial excellence. With a unique grower-driven model and world-class research partnerships, ITUM delivers the next generation of table grapes tailored to the needs of both growers and global consumers.