September 1, 2026
A new Economist article examines how gene-editing technology is being used to create new varieties of fruit designed around the needs of consumers and farmers. Among the most notable examples is Pairwise, which is developing blackberries with tiny, soft seeds and cherries without hard pits. The company’s work reflects a broader effort to use biotechnology to make familiar fruits easier to eat while introducing new traits that could improve their commercial appeal.
The larger opportunity goes beyond removing seeds and pits. Technologies such as CRISPR allow scientists to make targeted changes to a plant’s DNA rather than relying entirely on generations of traditional breeding. Researchers are exploring traits including sweetness, flavor, appearance, shelf life, and resistance to problems such as browning. These tools could make it possible to develop fruits that are better suited to modern consumers while also helping growers produce crops more efficiently.
Pairwise is part of a growing group of companies and researchers applying these techniques to produce. The development of more convenient fruits follows earlier innovations such as seedless grapes and easy-peel mandarins, which demonstrate how changes to the eating experience can influence consumer demand. Other gene-editing projects are targeting crops with improved nutritional qualities or characteristics that help them remain fresh for longer.
But the technology still faces significant hurdles. Developing new fruit varieties can take years, particularly for crops such as cherries, peaches, and apples that require substantial time to mature. Companies must also demonstrate that consumers are willing to buy the products and that farmers can grow them profitably. Regulatory approaches vary between countries, creating another factor that could influence how quickly gene-edited produce reaches supermarkets.
The article ultimately presents gene editing as the next stage in humanity’s long history of changing the food we grow. Pairwise’s seedless blackberries and pit-free cherries offer a glimpse of how biotechnology could reshape familiar fruits around convenience, taste, and consumer preferences. While widespread adoption is not guaranteed, the technology could gradually lead to a produce aisle filled with varieties that look familiar but have been redesigned at the genetic level.
Read the full Economist article here:
https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2026/03/04/a-basket-of-new-fruit-varieties-is-coming-your-way?utm_campaign=shared_article