A buyer has paid more than $2,800 for a premium watermelon from northern Japan.
The broker was one of several people bidding at the wholesale market in Asahikawa City. At the year’s first auction, 84 Densuke watermelon were for sale.
Consumers prize the variety, from the town of Toma, for its extra sweet taste. Farmers only sell specimens that meet strict standards for sugar content.
The winner said he made the bid, equal to last year’s top price, in the hope of generating good business. He said this year’s haul of Densuke watermelons are sweeter than usual.
Most of the other watermelons sold for around $40.
Shipments of Densuke watermelons will peak during the summer gift-giving season in mid-July.
Source: WKBN First News