A pair of premium melons from Hokkaido, Japan has sold for the highest price on record, drawing widespread attention. The auction price easily surpassed pre-COVID-19 records, reaffirming the fruit's status as a luxury commodity.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun on Tuesday (local time), a pair of Yubari melons sold for 5.8 million yen (approximately 55 million won) at the season's first auction held at a wholesale market in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
The price marks an all-time high, exceeding the previous record of 5 million yen (approximately 48 million won) set in 2019 by 800,000 yen.
The buyer was Futami Seika, an agricultural produce wholesaler. The melons will be transferred to retailer Keio Store and displayed at a major supermarket in Tokyo.
"We hope Tokyo residents can fully enjoy the fresh and delicious melons from Hokkaido," said Hirokazu Okubo, sales director at Futami Seika, who led the auction.
Yubari melons are renowned for their soft orange flesh and deep sweetness. In Japan, they remain consistently popular as premium gifts that convey gratitude.
During the main harvest season in June and July, total shipments are expected to reach 3,086 tons. Local farmers anticipate sales of approximately 2.12 billion yen (approximately 20.2 billion won) this season.
