Watermelon Fetches $6K In Tokyo Auction
A black jumbo watermelon auctioned in northern Japan fetched a record $6,100 Friday, making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold in the country - and possibly the world.
The 17-pound premium Densuke watermelon, one of only 65 from the first harvest of the season, was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture, according to Kyodo News agency. The fruit is grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido.
In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty price tag follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of Yubari cantaloupe melons sold for a record $23,500.
But for watermelon, Friday's winning bid drew a gasp even from veterans of the expensive-fruit market.
"This is the highest price on record for a Densuke watermelon, and that probably means it's the highest of any watermelon in Japanese history," said Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido.
Growers expect to produce about 9,000 Densuke watermelons this year, Ohira said.
For seasonal, high-end fruits like the Densuke watermelon and the Yubari cantaloupes, Japanese buyers are often willing to pay top prices at auction for the prestige of owning the very first ones of the year.
Unseasonably warm weather in April and May have helped boost sugar content and overall quality, and consequently prices, of the 2008 watermelons, Ohira said.
Other Densuke watermelons won't cost quite as much. Most will retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest $188 to $283, Ohira said.
And what makes a watermelon worth $200, much less $6,000?
Its unusual black skin, Ohira said. Inside, the watermelon is crisp and hard. And, he says, it has unparalleled taste.
"It's a watermelon, but it's not the same," he said. "It has a different level of sweetness."
Jun Otsuki, a spokesman for Guinness World Records' Tokyo office, said his organization does not keep records of any sort on watermelons.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The 17-pound premium Densuke watermelon, one of only 65 from the first harvest of the season, was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture, according to Kyodo News agency. The fruit is grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido.
In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty price tag follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of Yubari cantaloupe melons sold for a record $23,500.
But for watermelon, Friday's winning bid drew a gasp even from veterans of the expensive-fruit market.
"This is the highest price on record for a Densuke watermelon, and that probably means it's the highest of any watermelon in Japanese history," said Kazuyoshi Ohira, a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido.
Growers expect to produce about 9,000 Densuke watermelons this year, Ohira said.
For seasonal, high-end fruits like the Densuke watermelon and the Yubari cantaloupes, Japanese buyers are often willing to pay top prices at auction for the prestige of owning the very first ones of the year.
Unseasonably warm weather in April and May have helped boost sugar content and overall quality, and consequently prices, of the 2008 watermelons, Ohira said.
The biggest watermelon of the day departed for Tokyo immediately after the auction in Asahikawa city. By midafternoon Friday, the 24-pounder had traveled some 500 miles south to Isetan, an upscale department store in the capital, where it went on sale for $5,945.
Other Densuke watermelons won't cost quite as much. Most will retail at department stores and supermarkets for a more modest $188 to $283, Ohira said.
And what makes a watermelon worth $200, much less $6,000?
Its unusual black skin, Ohira said. Inside, the watermelon is crisp and hard. And, he says, it has unparalleled taste.
"It's a watermelon, but it's not the same," he said. "It has a different level of sweetness."
Jun Otsuki, a spokesman for Guinness World Records' Tokyo office, said his organization does not keep records of any sort on watermelons.
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Posted by incog-nito at 08:18 PM : Jun 06, 2008
Japan is no different than here in this respect: The elite make a lot of money. Those are the ones profiled or who you see jaunting to Paris or Hawaii. The majority of the citizens are very poor, live under conditions most of us would be horrified by (like a family of 4 in 600sq feet of space or less) and will never be able to set foot outside their country--for some--not even their towns.
We can talk about Kobe beef or fruits that cost in triple and quadruple digits--but it is not accurate to think the average Japanese lives or behaves that way. They can''t. The money is not there for them to do so. It would be just like the world expecting every American to own a spread like the characters on Dallas or Dynasty.
~Publilius Syrus
Posted by thgdriver
"Did you know today is the 64th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy?
You can''''t find one word about it at CBS. It''''s sad they decided to ignore the fact.
God bless the soldiers who fought and died in the largest land invasion in human history. Their efforts and sacrifice helped keep our first amendment in place. "
I do not believe posts such as this... What does D-Day have to do with watermelons???
D-Day I am sure will be celebrated on its 65th year but there are way too many holidays and if we add to them from this Iraq war - where will the special standing be.
I am sure there are some people who like to celebrate D Day every year (and I have no idea how everyone else feels about this) - but I would much prefer to read an article about a ridiculous amount of money paid on a watermelon than on D-Day.
Clearly you were interested or you would not have clicked on it...
Why keep looking for the negative - there is much more of that than I think anyone wants to pay attention to now...
Enough Criticizm ... Please... I get tired of seeing stupid posts like this...
But - now I have thought of D-Day so I guess you have accomplished your goal...
Nice to see that Americans are not the only ones who like to waste money.
Posted by shawnp1968
Ha! Good one.
YOU ARE A RACIST IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by FeelFreee4U at 03:19 PM : Jun 06, 2008
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