Cube watermelons to make Japan's farmers rich
They will be sold at department stores in Osaka and Tokyo and even shipped overseas.
Farmers in Zentsuuji city said they have already received 114 orders from Canada and prepared about 250 cubic watermelons for shipment.
The product was invented in Kagawa about 30 years ago. To reach the shape like this, it is put in a plastic box and as it matures, it takes on the shape of a cube. However, the square watermelons are not for eating.
The fruit is harvested before it is ripe, and is mainly for show. In Japan, they are popular as gifts for decoration. The Japanese have a tradition of giving gifts several times a year and fruits are seen as luxury items.
The watermelons go for at least $100 and are sold at high-end department stores.
Now overseas markets are buying into the square-shaped luxury item too.
Last year, the fruits were shipped to Moscow, where they were so popular they sold for around $860, USA Today reported.
In total, almost 400 cube watermelons are expected to be grown by six farmers this year. The shipping will end around mid-July.
An official of JA Kagawa said he wants to increase the amount of production capacity and expand the supply for overseas, as reported by Buzzfeed.
Source: voiceofrussia.com
