A single cherry of the Yamagata Benio variety, cultivated in the Yamagata prefecture in Japan, was sold at auction for 100,000 yen, equivalent to about 600 euros. The news was announced by local authorities, who specified that the fruit auctioned at the Ota market in Tokyo belongs to a new type of cherries, known for their impressive size and high quality.
This cherry, of category 5L, has a diameter between 34 and 37 millimeters and was presented in a refined box made of Paulownia wood, a precious material used for musical instruments and luxury finishes.
The grower responsible for this 100,000 yen cherry is Yoshimi Kanehira, a 76-year-old farmer from the city of Tendo, who was already the winner of the competition for the largest fruit in the prefecture last year.
Benio cherries, although having a sugar content comparable to that of other premium varieties, are distinguished by a lower acidity and firmer flesh, which extends their shelf life.
Additionally, the cherry trees are cultivated in a particular way, growing the trees in a Y shape to optimize sunlight exposure. The soil is enriched with natural fertilizers, including Moringa extract, known for its richness in essential nutrients and drought resistance, and Tamogi mushrooms, appreciated for their antioxidant properties and use in cosmetics.
19 Feb 2026
In Central Otago, Clyde Orchards grows, packages and exports premium cherries to China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. Over 105 hectares managed with vertical integration, a favourable climate and RSE labour support quality, freshness and positioning in Asian markets.
03 Feb 2026
South Australia's cherry season kicked off later than usual due to a cooler spring, but January is delivering an excellent harvest of large, sweet and juicy cherries. Strong competition with Victorian growers and attractive prices are boosting demand across summer markets.
22 Oct 2026
Cherry production is shaped in autumn: irrigation, stored reserves and dormancy affect bud fertility and winter-chill response. Orchard data help estimate crop loads and plan winter pruning, guiding timely decisions on fruit size and next season’s yield in each orchard.
22 Oct 2026
A Ukrainian study tests hydrocooling in three sweet cherry cultivars and one sour cherry cultivar: water at 1°C with organic acids, cooled to 2°C near the pit. It preserved positive indicators and cut negative impact by up to 49.73%, with effects varying by cultivar.
