Developing a product that meets consumer wants and needs is the essence of successful business development.  In today’s complex and fast-changing world, creating a product with the desired attributes and the modifications needed to meet changing consumer demand is critical.

Successfully creating a product that reflects your new product concept and meets your cost parameters is challenging.   You may want to compare the attributes of your product against those of your competitors.  Taste-tests are commonly used in value-added food businesses.  These can be done simply by yourself or a company can be hired to do a thorough analysis.

Packaging is an important part of product development.  The purpose of a package is to protect the product from spoiling and keep it clean until it is opened by the consumer. Many producers overlook the importance of product packaging, but this is the first thing consumers see. When the package is appealing, con¬sumers are more likely to buy it. As long as the anticipated quality is there, consumers will be satisfied. They will buy the product in the package they like and will not buy it in one they do not like — even though the product is the same.

The consumer decides the size of package most suited to each product.  Consumers are more likely to buy smaller food packages of items that are used occasionally. They will buy large packages of items used frequently and in a relatively short time, if the product remains safe to use during this period.  Most plant and animal products must be packaged appropriately to be preserved.

Information on product development is presented in the box at the right.