7 Reasons Why Melons in Japan Are Very Expensive

In Japan melon is called the king of fruit. Musk Melon and Yubari Melon are very sweet melons their appearance like works of art. The price is also quite expensive. Premium melons such as Yubari Melon are carefully planted, one tree for one grain only so that the fruit gets enough nutrition to produce sweet fruit. Cultivating melons in Japan requires high precision and perseverance. Melon farmers in Japan annually send their best yields to be contested in a competition known as the Crown Melon Show. Basically this competition aims to determine who has the best melon. Melons are evaluated on their shape, sweetness, aroma and color.

Export Trends of Melon 

The Ministry of Trade is pushing for an increase in exports of horticultural products, particularly Indonesian vegetables and fruits to foreign countries. Indonesia as an agricultural country has great potential to meet the fruit and vegetable market in line with the increasing trend of demand for these commodities.

The quality of Indonesian fruit seeds is highly sought after by foreign markets. One of them, melon seeds. Apparently, domestically produced melon seeds are being hunted by foreign countries, such as Thailand, China, Japan and South Korea. Within a year, exports of melon seeds to various Asian countries reach 2 to 3 tons per year.

Fujisawa organic melon cultivated by millennial farmers in East Java which has successfully penetrated the Japanese market. Melon cultivation was carried out by 15 young farmers using the greenhouse method.

In this first harvest, 750 trees produced 1.5 tons of melons weighing 1.5 to 2.2 kilograms per fruit. Also during this first harvest, Fujisawa melons received a positive response from buyers and will be exported to Japan.

Several melon seeds that have been successfully exported include apple-type melons, rock melons, and orange flesh melons (green flash) which are popular in Japan. Then oriental melons are highly favored in South Koreans. Even though these melons are originally from abroad, they can be seeded in Indonesia with the best quality. Thus, many foreign farmers are seeking these seeds.

Facts and Benefit of Melon 

Melon is a type of fruit that is often consumed as a snack or dessert. Most people enjoy this fruit due to its sweet and refreshing taste. Apart from containing vitamin C and potassium, melon also has high water content which is relatively low in calories, and is also free of fat and cholesterol.

Due to its various nutritional content, melon has the potential to provide health benefits. Here are various facts about melons:

1. Lowering Blood Pressure

Salt in the body can bind fluids and increase blood volume, leading to elevated blood pressure. The potassium in melon can help rebalance blood volume. That way, blood pressure gradually decreased.

2. Improving Digestion

This benefit comes from the water and fiber content in melons. Intake of water and fiber will make the feces fuller, but soft enough to be excreted from the body. Indeed, when compared to other fruits the fiber content in melons is not much. But this is actually good for people who are not used to eating high-fiber foods. By gradually increasing fiber intake, the digestive system will get used to excreting feces regularly.

3. Preventing Dehydration

In addition to drinking water, another easy way to prevent dehydration is by consuming foods with water content such as melons. Two slices of melon contain 159 grams of water, or the equivalent of half a glass of water. Various minerals can also restore electrolytes in your body.

4. Controling Blood Sugar

Even though its sweet taste, melon is safe fruit for consumption by diabetics. This is because the water and fiber content in melon slows down the absorption of sugar in the body thereby preventing and lowering blood sugar quickly.

5. Strengthens the Immune System and Preventing Infections

Melon is a fruit with vitamin C which is beneficial for the body's immune system. According to research in the journal Nutrients, vitamin C accelerates the locking of immune cells to areas of infection and triggers certain cells to eat bacteria. Vitamin C also strengthens immune cells that protect body tissues from damage during the battle against germs.

Melons in Japan are Expensive

Japan is known as a country where the price of fruit is very expensive. One of the most expensive fruit prices in Japan is melon. Reporting from The Culture Trip, the price of melons in Japan can reach 2,931 Yen or the equivalent of 378 million Indonesian rupiahs.

Even though the price of melons in Japan is expensive, Japanese people still enjoy consuming them. They are willing to spend a lot of money to buy melons. Then why is the price of melons in Japan expensive?

There are several reasons why melons are so expensive in Japan. Research from various sources, let’s explore the various reasons behind the high price of melons in Japan:

1. Melon Is Considered a Luxury Item

This has been happening in Japan for generations since the 14th century. In those days, samurai would give their leader (shogun) a tangerine or melon as a sign of loyalty and appreciation. This cultural practice has continued to the present day, leading to melons being priced at fantastic levels.

2. Melon Fruit "Treated" Special

Usually farmers select the best melons and then take very good care of them. They even give a "melon massage" to ensure that the melon has the best level of sweetness. Because it requires more time and effort, these premium melons in Japan are sold at very high prices.

3. High Demand

Japanese melons are known for their excellent taste and quality, and are the choice for those looking for the best taste and quality. The high demand for Japanese melons makes the price even more expensive.

4. Appearance Determines the Price

Beyond taste and quality, the price of a melon is also determined by its appearance. As a result, melon farmers take very careful care of the melons. When the melons start to grow, they cover the fruit with wrapping paper. This is because the more beautiful the pattern and shape of the surface of the melon, the more expensive it is.

5. Melon Farmers in Japan, Take Care of Melons Like Their Own Children

When caring for these melons, this melon farmer in Japan loves these melons like his own children with great affection. This is why these melons, despite their high prices, carry their own unique stories in their cultivation. The maintenance time with this long process is one of the reasons melons can be sold at high prices.

6. Very High Quality

Japanese melons are produced to very high-quality standards and are grown using very careful methods, such as pruning, checking the fruit individually, and controlling temperature and humidity. This ensures that the resulting melon has a perfect and flawless taste and texture.

7. Limited Production

Due to very high production standards, Japanese melon production is limited and difficult to increase. This makes Japanese melons difficult to obtain and a rare item. Only fruits that meet the quality is sold.

Not all types of melons in Japan are expensive, but some types of melons are known to have very high prices. Apart from the Yubari King Melon, there are several other types of melon that are also sold at quite high prices in Japan, such as the musk melon and the Shizuoka Crown melon.

However, the price of melons can also vary depending on the quality and the place where they are sold. In regular supermarkets, melons are usually more affordable than in exclusive fruit shops or markets that specialize in premium fruits.

Fertilizer Recommendations for Melon Plants

The use of fertilizers is one of the key factors to achieve success in farming. Fertilizers can provide the nutrients needed by plants. Fertilizer types are very diverse and have different contents and benefits.

In the effort to increase the productivity and quality of melons, the use of fertilizers for melons needs to be considered properly. Fertilizer for melons comes from a mixture of nutrients specially formulated to meet the needs of melon plants. Fertilizers must contain various important nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Balanced nutritional content helps increase the content of sugar, vitamins and antioxidants in melons. This makes the resulting melons have a sweeter taste, crunchier texture, and more attractive color.

Fertilizing melon plants is done regularly, according to the needs of the plant. The fertilization phase will affect the type of fertilizer given.

1. Manure 

Before planting, the first step that is usually done is to prepare the planting medium. A good planting medium comes from a mixture of soil and organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers come from animal waste, food scraps, and microorganisms. Manure is an organic fertilizer that is often used as basic fertilizer.

2. The first follow-up fertilizer

The first follow-up fertilization is done at the age of 7 to 14 days. In this phase, melon plants are focusing on growing. Melon plants grow by vines. The proper fertilizer to use is NPK Grower fertilizer as much as 5 grams per plant.

3. Second follow-up fertilizer

At the age of 20 to 25 days after planting, the second follow-up fertilization is carried out. At this stage, the focus is still on growth. Therefore, for melon plants, NPK pearl fertilizer with a ratio of 16:16:16 is used. Apply 10 grams of fertilizer per plant.

4. Third follow-up fertilizer

Melon plant flowers start to appear at around of 35 to 40 days after planting. So that melon flowers don't fall off easily and develop well, use pearl NPK fertilizer 16:16:16, Superphos, and foliar fertilizer. Foliar fertilizer is given to meet the needs of micro nutrients.

5. Fourth follow-up fertilizer

Melon plants have a relatively short lifespan. Melon fruit can be harvested around 60 to 70 days after planting. This fourth follow-up fertilization will affect the taste of the size and taste of the melon. Fertilization is done at the age of 50 to 55 days after planting. Use Pearl NPK fertilizer 16:16:16, KNO3, Superphos, 10 grams each per plant. (Nisa)