Exclusive Ruby Roman grapes are grown only on selected farms in Ishikawa Prefecture, but now, grapes being sold under the same name in South Korea were found to have the same DNA. This might mean that Ruby Roman saplings must have been spirited out of Japan. The prefectural government is planning to demand that the central government tighten up measures against these illicit exports.
The prefecture spent 14 years developing the grape variety, which was first shipped in 2008 and it set criteria for shipping, such as that each grape must weigh at least 20 grams and have sugar content of 18% or higher. The grapes are grown only by farmers in the prefecture who have a license contract with the prefecture. At the fruits’ first auction this year in July, one bunch of Ruby Roman grapes fetched a record ¥1.5 million.
Last year, the prefecture learnt of grapes being sold as “Ruby Roman” in South Korea. In August this year, the prefecture carried out a DNA test on grapes purchased in that country at a government testing facility. The test result showed their genetic type was the same as that of Ruby Roman grapes in Japan.
Source: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp
Photo source: Youtube.com