These 4 seemingly ordinary fruits come with an exorbitant price tag, ranking among the most expensive fruits in the world.
Type 1: “Gia Luc” Lychee
Lychee is a very popular fruit, but the “Gia Luc” lychee (with a skin that is 60% red and 40% green, featuring a green stripe) is a specialty from southern China and is the most expensive fruit in the world.
These lychees are sold individually rather than by weight. The “Gia Luc” lychee has even been auctioned for 550,000 yuan (approximately 1.8 billion VND), equivalent to a Mercedes.
Type 2: Yūbari Melon, Hokkaido, Japan
Also hailing from Hokkaido, Japan, these melons are even more expensive than watermelons. This type resembles Hami melons but is significantly sweeter.
They have been auctioned for as much as $23,000 (approximately 532 million VND) each.
Type 3: Black Watermelon
Black Watermelon is known as the king of watermelons. Grown in Hokkaido, Japan, this type of watermelon is described as mildly sweet yet extremely refreshing.
As such, it is not the kind of fruit you would expect to find easily at markets or grocery stores. Instead, Densuke watermelons are auctioned annually to the highest bidder during highly anticipated events, often fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
These auctions typically take place in June each year, attracting many participants eager to bid and admire.
The most expensive Densuke watermelon ever auctioned was sold in 2019 for a staggering 750,000 yen (6,000 USD). Prices have dropped over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the black watermelon remains the most expensive in the world.
Densuke watermelons are also significantly larger than average, weighing around 4 kg on average, with some reaching a record weight of nearly 8 kg.
Known for its unusual shiny black skin, Densuke watermelon is said to have a crisp texture, higher sweetness than other watermelon varieties, and fewer seeds. Those lucky enough to try this fruit report that it tastes similar to watermelon but is much better.
While its rarity certainly contributes to the value of Densuke watermelon, it is noteworthy that the final price also reflects the time and dedication involved in cultivating them.
Although the first batches of the annual harvest fetch the highest prices at fruit auctions, Densuke watermelon can usually be purchased for a starting price of about $250 each in most countries. This is still considered a substantial amount to pay for a watermelon.
Like most luxury products, Densuke watermelon is packaged in beautifully decorated cube-shaped cardboard boxes and comes with a certificate of origin, as proof of authenticity is crucial.
They are often given as gifts to express respect, gratitude, and to maintain smooth relationships.
According to Kyodo News, this type of watermelon has been cultivated since the 1980s and quickly gained worldwide fame. Currently, besides Japan, the United States and Europe are the two largest markets for this watermelon.
Type 4: Heligan Pineapple
This pineapple originates from the Lost Gardens of Heligan in England. The Heligan pineapple takes up to two years to grow and requires careful cultivation in the UK, using horse manure and other natural fertilizers to thrive in a relatively cold country like England.
One pineapple is sold for 10,000 yuan (approximately 33 million VND).
