A bunch of grapes has been sold for a record price of 1.1million yen or €9,810 at an auction in a wholesale market in Japan.
The bunch of 30 Ruby Roman grapes was sold for 1.1 million yen which works out at about €327 per ping-pong sized grape.
Of the 46 batches of Ruby Roman grapes auctioned off at the market, the most expensive was bought by a supermarket in the city of Amagasaki in Hyogo Prefacture, according to the Japan Times. The same supermarket reportedly paid a record 3 million yen (€26,760) for a pair of Yubari melons in the city of Sapporo on the northern island of Hokkaido in May.
Takamaru Konishi (37), who placed the winning bid for the Kurashi Kaientai supermarket, said he felt “honoured” to claim the grapes which he hopes will bring heartening news to farmers in Ishikawa.
Mr Konishi plans to put the grapes on display at the supermarket where customers can have a sample taste.
The Ruby Roman grape is a much-sought after fruit developed by the Ishikawa Prefectural Government and has a high sugar content of at least 18 per cent. Grapes must weight at least 20 grams to be accepted into the market.
Fruits in Japan are considered a luxury product and are often presented as gifts to show appreciation and build relationships. Specialist stores, including the famous Senbikiya shop in central Tokyo, pride themselves on producing perfectly shaped and coloured fruits, while misshapen produce is banished from the shelves.
