A pack of two mangoes were sold for ¥300,000 (€2,340) on Monday in Japan at the first auction of the season in Miyazaki, on the island of Kyushu, a record price for the second year in a row.
The happy buyer, a large shop in Fukuoka, is offering the fruit at a cut price to it’s clients, at ¥210,000.
These “Taiyo no tamago”, (egg of the sun) mangoes weigh at least 350 grams and have high sugar levels. Selection criteria is strict.
Melons are also very sought after fruits that reach high prices as well every year. The record was in 2008 when two melons were sold for ¥2.5 million (current exchange rate, €19,500).
A luxury brand of strawberries that is very fashionable this year is being sold for €390…a piece.
The Japanese deem giving fruit as a respected gift. In specialised stores and large shops, they are displayed like jewellery. Even in normal supermarkets fruit is expensive, an apple can often cost the equivalent of €2.