At the first congress of fruit growers of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, held in 1932 in Čačak, the initiative was taken for the foundation of a scientific institution in the field of Fruit science and was subsequently realized through foundation of the Fruit Growing and Processing Research Station on the 17^th of July in 1946 by the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture of NR of Serbia, num. 21867. By the decision num. 19 from March 23rd, 1961 the Executive Council of NR of Serbia declared it republic scientific institution under the name The Fruit Research Institute of the NR of Serbia. Research stations of Sremski Karlovci and Peć were declared experimental fruit stations, constituents of the Institute. Presently independent Fruit nursery in Čačak was taken over by the Institute on April 1st, 1961.The Institute worked as a republic research organization by 1974 when, on amendment of the Constitution, it became an independent research institution for the region of Serbia.

In 1986, Grape and Wine Research Station in Niš was integrated into the Institute and it subsequently continued its work under the name Fruit and Grapevine Research Institute, Čačak.

The law regulation from 1990 brought about changes in organisation of the institute and stations in the field of agriculture. Upon integration of several biotechnical institutes on December 24th, 1991, Institute continued to exist as a part of Agricultural Research Institute SERBIA, as one of its eight centres.

By the decision of the Goverment of Republic of Serbia, num. 022-8481/2006 from September 14th, 2006, the Institute is independent legal entity in the name FRUIT RESEARCH INSTITUTE.