In what might be the unlikeliest indicator of a post-pandemic recovery, a pair of premium Japanese melons have sold for $24,800 (€20,416) at auction, over 22 times more than last year’s virus-hit price.
The 2.7 million yen price tag at the season’s first auction for the famed Yubari melons is still a snip compared to records for the prized produce.
“This year’s recovery in price can be seen as a result of buyers looking to encourage people by putting in higher bids,” a wholesale market official told AFP.
The successful bidder was a local manufacturer of baby food, whose president said he hoped the purchase would spread a bit of a good cheer. ....