In Okayama Prefecture, western Japan, this year's first shipments of Muscat of Alexandria grapes have started. The seeded variety is sometimes dubbed the ‘Queen of Grapes’ in Japan; about 90 percent of the grapes of this type grown in Japan come from Okayama.
Yesterday, grapes harvested by five farms were brought to a sorting and grading center in the Funao district of Kurashiki City. Farmers say they had difficulty adjusting greenhouse temperatures this year because of the warm winter, but they have been able to maintain the fruit's high quality. The chief of the Funao fruits and flower center, Kataoka Tsuyoshi, says he is relieved the first shipments have now begun. The Okayama grapes will be sold in the prefecture and other areas such as Tokyo and Osaka. The shipments are expected to continue through September.
Source: nhk.or.jp
