Innovation in the Product Aisle | BusinessWeek

Innovation in the Product Aisle | BusinessWeek: “Watermelon
Producers of seeds used to focus mainly on what farmers wanted to buy. These days, agri-giants such as Switzerland-based Syngenta and Monsanto’s Seminis unit also seek input from grocery chains and shoppers. They also invite consumers to weigh in. Syngenta grows new crops and regularly convenes consumer panels to harvest preferences directly from those who fill the shopping cart. Syngenta’s PureHeart watermelon is the result of trials showing that consumers want sweeter, smaller melons. The PureHeart weighs five to seven pounds—a third as much as regular watermelon.”