A pair of premium melons in Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido fetched 3.5 million yen ($25,000) at the year's first auction on May 25, securing the event's second highest bid on record.
A pair of Yubari melon from Japanese island costs a whopping Rs 18 lakh - Here's why - The melons are grown under harsh winter conditions and this year a total of 466 melons changed hands at the auction.
Pair of premium Yubari melons fetches $24,800 at Hokkaido annual auction
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A man shows a pair of Yubari Melons which fetched 2.7 million yen ($ 24,800) during the season s first auction at Sapporo Central Wholesale Market in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture on May 24, 2021.(Photo/Agencies)
The first bid for Yubari Melon has been a celebration market every year. In 2019, two melons were auctioned for 5 million yen (about $46,300), the highest bid. But last year the price dropped to 120,000 yen (about $1,111) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pair of Yubari Melons fetches 2.7 million yen ($ 24,800) during the season s first auction at Sapporo Central Wholesale Market in Sapporo City, Hokkaido Prefecture on May 24, 2021.(Photo/Agencies)
Two Yubari melons auctioned for nearly Dh92,000
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This was more than 22 times last year s price, the auction organisers said on Monday.
Yubari melons have fetched 2.7 million yen (almost $25,000) at a traditional auction marking the start of the season on Japan s Hokkaido island.
This was more than 22 times last year s price, the auction organisers said on Monday.
Similar in size to a cantaloupe, the orange-fleshed Yubari melons are renowned for their high quality and sweet taste, reports dpa news agency.
Last year, a pair of melons had sold for 120,000 yen - a fraction of what is normally achieved at the start of the season.
May 25, 2021
TOKYO (AFP) – In what might be the unlikeliest indicator of a post-pandemic recovery, a pair of premium Japanese melons have sold for USD24,800 at auction, over 22 times more than last year’s virus-hit price.
The JPY2.7 million price tag at the season’s first auction for the famed Yubari melons is still a snip compared to records for the prized produce.
“This year’s recovery in price can be seen as a result of buyers looking to encourage people by putting in higher bids,” a wholesale market official told
AFP.
The successful bidder was a local manufacturer of baby food, whose president said he hoped the purchase would spread a bit of a good cheer.