Why Fruits In Japan Are So Expensive?

A hybrid version of cantaloupe melon that is planted specifically in the city of Yubari, Hokkaido has broken the record with the highest bid of 5 million yen ($36,977). It has surpassed the previous record of 3.2 million yen in 2018. This special hybrid melon is well known for its light orange flesh, softness, and its delicate sweet taste.

The lucky bidder happens to be from one of the most reputable drink companies based in Tokyo which is Pokka Sapporo & Beverage Ltd. According to the president of the company, Yoshihiro Iwata, the bid was made in conjunction with10th the year anniversary of the company ever since its first launch of the cantaloupe melon flavored soda drink.

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Because the company was founded in Sapporo, they wished to repay their gratitude by giving something back to Hokkaido. The melon that has been bought is now being displayed at the Chitose Sapporo Dome Airport in Hokkaido before being taken back for color and scent analysis for the development of new products for the company.

Why Fruits in Japan Are So Expensive?

Japan is without a doubt very popular around the world in producing rare and high-quality products such as Kobe beef, Ruby Roman grapes, Matsutake mushrooms, and even Nakazawa milk.

But many might ask why the fruits in Japan are being sold at a hefty price tag. Buying fruits in that country is like buying fancy jewelry. A squared-shaped watermelon at a premium fruit shop can cost the same as 36 regular watermelons. The Sekai-Ichi apple which translates to the best in the world can reach a whopping ¥3221($23) a piece.

A similar thing can be said for the Yubari melon which is commonly sold at ¥4000($29.50) up to ¥10,000($73.90).

These prices are considered normal and they can easily be obtained. However, the price will get even higher during an auction, especially for the first harvest of every season. Fruits happen to be one of the biggest and most serious businesses in Japan. The farmers will take years of hardship to grow the fruits to a considerable size with unique shapes so that they can be sold to their elite customers.

According to one shop owner, Okuda Nichio, the process of getting the perfect and desired-sized strawberry has proved to be very difficult. It took him 15 years before succeeding at his level. himBijin-hime strawberry (translates to the beautiful princess) that Nichio planted himself took around 45 days before it can be harvested.

Every year, he only sells roughly 500 chosen strawberries, the size of a tennis ball worth ¥500,000($3690) a piece.

Different Fruit Status In Japan

Some countries are used to buying fruits at a such cheap price since it is always served as desserts and daily snack. We usually buy fruits to enjoy the sweet taste of it aside from getting the benefits of their high nutrition. Most local fruits in other countries are said to be affordable and not much different from the price of vegetables.

However, things are quite different in Japan as they consider fruits as something spiritual and are commonly given as gifts as a token of appreciation to those they respected. On top of that, it is said that the Japanese usually eat with their eyes first.

So for every fruit to be gifted must be most respectful manner.

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For instance, every strawberry is sold in boxes similar to a jewelry box whereas melons are wrapped nicely of them before being placed in a wooden box full of decorations.

So it is not surprising to see these premium fruits being served to the upper class known as kaiseki. This high status means that only the chosen fruits are worthy to be served for their high quality and class. It must be perfect in all shapes and sizes and not to mention the taste and texture must not have anything peculiar.

Planting Factors Contribute to High Price

Aside from the fruit itself being seen as a sign of luxury, the national regulatory body, the Japanese Agricultural Cooperatives has set various requirements for the size, color, and taste of the fruit that can be bought from the farmers before being sold to the people.

The land space for agricultural activities is limited as up to 80% of the land in Japan comprises mountainous areas. Many fruit farms in Japan are being developed by family businesses or small-scale companies. Commonly the plantation of fruits in Japan involved an intensive labor process and a very complicated workflow.

To give you an insight into how complicated the whole process is, we take an example of the plantation muskmelon using the Shizuoka technique. From the early stage, the farmers must choose the best seeds to be planted inside a greenhouse.

As soon as the seed grows, the sprout that does not meet the standards will be thrown out and the pollination process is done by hand by using a paintbrush. When the fruits start to be seen, only the best among them will be chosen and the rest will be removed.

For every branch, only 1 fruit will be left out so that it does not have to compete for nutrition with other fruits. The melons that managed to reach this stage will be given special treatments before being ripe. A rope will be tied on top of the fruit's branch so that it does not fall off before being harvested.

Every fruit will then be worn a black cap made from plastic to avoid direct sunlight. Lastly, every fruit will be given a message massage using bare hands by wearing white gloves. The message has been reported to shape the fruit perfectly giving it a shiny external skin aside from improving the sweetness of the fruit.

According to Masaomi Suzuki who happens to be one of the farmers, he and his family has never been on holiday together since someone should stay behind at the farm to observe the fruits of their labor.

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Premium Sembikiya Fruit Boutique

The premium fruit shop located in Tokyo said that they are responsible for popularizing the culture of giving fruits long ago. In 1834, a wife of a samurai changed and upgraded their cheap-looking shop into something more premium for high-end customers.

They only pick among the best of the best without any specks of dirt or defect to entice the buyers who wish to impress their bosses.

When the melons being planted are ready to be harvested and sold, Sembikiya will not simply buy all of them together. Every fruit will first be evaluated in terms of its shapes, patterns, taste, and scent.

It has been reported that only 3% of the fruits planted will be considered of high quality and only several pieces of them will make their way to the shelves in Sembikiya to be sold to the end customers.

If you were to visit Japan and cannot afford the fruits in Sembikiya, you still can find cheaper fruits elsewhere by visiting the local villages. Aside from that, you can also purchase them at the local supermarket that sells the less perfect fruits.

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