Building TIQI, a New Global Grape Brand | Ep. 154

Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie speak to Jacobus van der Merwe, Business Development Manager of Fruitips, about the development and global launch of TIQI—a new premium table grape brand built around exceptional flavour, long shelf life and carefully controlled production. Developed through the partnership between Grapa Global and TopFruit International, TIQI brings two distinctive pink grape varieties together under one consumer brand. After a successful trial in 2025, the branded grapes are set to launch exclusively in Marks & Spencer stores in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2026. Jacobus explains why Fruitips aims to build a brand rather than simply sell grapevine material. This includes selecting growers, controlling the number of hectares planted, developing production and packing protocols, protecting consistent quality and coordinating supply between countries. The discussion also explores: •Why more than 20,000 UK consumers participated in the grape tasting •TIQI’s distinctive flavour, aroma and unusually long shelf life •The strategy of keeping supply controlled to protect value •Current plantings in California, Mexico, Brazil, China and Namibia •When commercial plantings could begin in South Africa •Why production protocols must be adapted for each country •The challenge of delivering consistent quality throughout the year •How the model could support premium returns for selected growers •Why agriculture needs to communicate its wider impact to young professionals Subscribe to the Lucentlands Podcast for conversations with the people shaping agriculture, horticulture and the international fresh-produce industry.