Melon-Choly: Japan's premium fruit prices plunge
1/5
Sky high price
A pair of premium Japanese melons sold on Monday for just a slice of the five million yen ($46,000) reached at auction last year.
2/5
Auctioning fruits
The melons from Yubari on the northern island of Hokkaido sold for a snip at 120,000 yen at the season’s first auction - 40 times less than last year's record price tag.
3/5
COVID - A barrier
An official at the wholesale market blamed the coronavirus for keeping away rich corporate clients who compete to outbid each other for the most expensive fruit.
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4/5
On a smaller scale
The virus meant the auction was smaller than usual and mostly made up of lower net worth individuals.
5/5
Symbol of gratitude
The successful bidder wanted to show gratitude and support for local farmers, according to local news agency Kyodo.