Many Italian readers turn to Tommaso Rossi when they want to know what's happening in Japan. The former resident of the Tuscany region has a YouTube channel with 140,000 subscribers and a Facebook page that is also very popular. On 5 December 2021, Rossi uploaded a video (click here to visualize it) showing the supply and prices of fruits and vegetables in one of Tokyo's most luxurious shopping malls.
"A top quality melon costs about €130.00, while this mini watermelon costs about €40.00. As I have often said, fruits and vegetables are very expensive in Japan because everything is produced in small spaces and without any mechanization."
Even in the cheapest places, the prices are very different from what one is used to in Italy.
"A basket with a selection of different fruits costs €80.00 and a box of tangerines €40.00. Apples are more affordable at between €7.00 and €8.00 each and a peach at around €8.00."
Cherries are the real stars and a box of 15 pieces of fruit costs about €50.00.
Besides melons, prices for grapes are also skyrocketing. "A bunch costs between €40.00 and €120.00, depending on the variety and the packaging. In Japan, fruits and vegetables are often sold as presents, as precious and highly valued gifts, which is why they cost so much."
However, the video also hints at more normal prices with apples priced at €2.00 each or tomatoes at €1.00 each.