Why are Japan's melons so expensive?

Japan is renowned for its culinary delights, including Wagyu beef and expensive melons. In this article, we take a look at why Crown melons fetch such exorbitant prices.

The fascination with Japan has grown over the years, thanks to greater exposure to Japanese culture. Geishas, samurai, anime and other elements of Japanese culture continue to inspire and interest those who exist outside of the homogenous confines of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Agriculture is not usually associated with Japan, as the country’s mountainous terrain means that only around 12% of its land is suitable for cultivation. Famous for its world-class Wagyu beef, Japan is also known for the production of various fruit, including melons that sell for astronomical prices. The exceptional care taken in producing each melon is one of the many reasons they can be auctioned off for such high prices.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE MELONS

In May 2019, two Yubari King melons from Hokkaido in Japan sold for ¥5 million or US$45 000 (over R1 million when taking inflation into account). While the Yubari King remains the world’s most expensive fruit, melons in Japan generally fetch high prices.

According to the YouTube channel Business Insider, melons are not thought of as ‘snacks’ as they are in other parts of the world. Instead, a melon is a luxury item and is particularly important in Japan’s gift-giving culture.

Crown melons, for example, are renowned for their hefty prices, and can fetch around US$200 (R3 600) each, Business Insider explained. The Crown melons are only grown in the Shizuoka prefecture in Japan, and each one is grown with the utmost care.