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.
25 Jul 2023
In this study, researchers from the Department of Floriculture and Dendrology, County Government Office and Department of Fruit Growing (all based in Hungary) put together their expertise to evaluate the rootstocks SL64, Bogdány, Magyar, SM 11/4 clonal Mahalebs, and MaxMa14.
04 Jan 2024
One advantage of cherry crop insurance, says Jennifer Wiggs, is that growers are already in the USDA database. Therefore, if programmes such as disaster relief funds are available, the application process will be easier.
03 Sep 2026
The British cherry season faces extreme heat and yields at 70–80% of a normal crop, while fruit quality remains high. England's harvest falls to five weeks, as Scotland extends UK supply into September and the market continues to benefit from solid consumer demand overall.
03 Sep 2026
A Hungarian study on two sour cherry cultivars shows that the growing season affects bioactive compounds more than cultivar or farming method, influencing polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity and highlighting the importance of harvest timing.
