Buy a pair of melons for nearly 25,000 USD

Two Yubari melons were recently successfully auctioned off for 3.5 million yen by a Japanese company in Hokkaido.

Kiyomichi Noda, CEO of Hokuyupack, poses with two melons worth 3.5 million yen. Photo: Nippon

A pair of premium Yubari melons fetched 3.5 million yen (nearly $25,000) at a recent auction in Hokkaido, Japan, according to Nippon. This was the second highest price recorded in the history of the event, after the record set in 2019.

The pair of melons were among 262 Yubari melons auctioned at the Sapporo Central Market, an event that heralds the arrival of summer in Hokkaido. The successful bidder for this year's pair was Hokuyupack, a fruit and vegetable packaging company based in Yubari.

Premium fruits often fetch high prices at early-season auctions in Japan. Many individuals and organizations participate in the event to promote their image. That makes businesses not hesitate to spend money to create a special impression in the public eye.

Yubari melons play an important role in the gift-giving culture in the land of the rising sun. This is a rare melon variety, listed as a protected plant species in Japan. During the feudal period, only the emperor or people of high status in society could enjoy this delicious melon.

Another reason why Japanese melons are so expensive is the meticulous growing and care process. The gardens are equipped with air conditioning and heating systems to maintain a stable temperature all year round. During the fruiting stage, only 2-3 fruits per plant are retained.

A week later, only the best-looking melons are left on the tree. The Japanese determine the price based on the shape of the grooves on the skin. Therefore, the melons are often “massaged” by hand and carefully cared for in appearance.

The peak melon harvest season is from late June to the end of July. The Yubari Agricultural Cooperative aims to export 3,258 tons of Yubari melons this season and earn about 1.9 billion yen in revenue.

Previously, at the May 2020 auction, when Covid-19 was spreading, a pair of Yubari melons cost only 120,000 yen. However, the price increased to 2.7 million yen in 2021 and 3 million yen in 2022.

After the successful auction, Hokuyupack Company continues to plan to serve free melons to 200 local residents next month.

According to Zing

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