A box of seven premium Nanamitsuki apples from Hokkaido sold for 100,000 yen ($630) at the first auction of the season on Friday. The price matched last year's highest bid, marking a steady demand for these high-quality fruits. The auction took place at a wholesale market in Hakodate, where buyers enthusiastically bid on the red-tinged yellow apples, a brand known for being cultivated in the town of Nanae.
According to Shinhakodate Agricultural Cooperative, this year's apples are larger and less bruised compared to last year's harvest, which suffered damage from typhoons. Yuji Sotozaki, a 46-year-old representative from the Hakodate-based wholesaler that placed the winning bid, praised the apples for their honey cores and encouraged consumers to try them if available in stores.
The Nanamitsuki apples are of the Gunma meigetsu variety, and only those meeting specific standards of sweetness and size receive the premium label. High prices at first auctions are common in Japan, as successful bids often serve promotional purposes for buyers.