Thursday, June 17, 2021
First shipment of sunflower melons
The first shipment of Hokuryu melons took place at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, with a total of 10 boxes, consisting of four cases of four melons and six cases of five melons, brought to the agricultural product collection and shipping facility of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch by producer Yasunori Watanabe.
A wonderful melon with a sugar content of 16 degrees and the highest grade of "Shu"
These are excellent melons with a sugar content of 16 degrees, all of which are of the highest grade, "Excellent."
Hokuryu Melon Producers Association
The Hokuryu Melon Production Association currently has 25 farms and a cultivated area of 6 hectares, and aims to ship 21,700 boxes by mid-August, achieving sales of approximately 90 million yen.
Yasunori Watanabe's story
"This year started off unusually tough. Low temperatures and lack of sunlight continued, and the weather was bad during fruit-bearing season, so fruit did not set, or even if it did, it was diseased. The fruit size was also quite small on average, and it is said that fruit is small all over Hokkaido, including Yubari.
However, the weather has improved over the past few days, so I think they will start to come out smoothly around the end of July. Normally, it takes 55 days for the bulbs to be harvested after they have set, but this year, due to a lack of accumulated temperature, it is taking about three days longer.
Because it has been ripening for these many days, the sugar content is at a satisfactory 16 degrees, exceeding the shipping standard of 14 degrees.
"Although the COVID-19 pandemic is a difficult time, I would like everyone to enjoy melons at home. First, enjoy the sight, then the aroma of ripening, and finally the taste. Please enjoy the three pleasures," said Watanabe.
Mayor Yutaka Sano (right) and JA Kitasorachi Kitakiyo Hirokuni, Hokuryu District Representative Director (left)
A talk by Hidemasa Kawahara, head of the Fruit and Vegetable Division (JA Kitasorachi)
"Last year, there were concerns that consumption would decline due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since people were unable to go out, melons were used as gifts.
This year too, we expect to see some movement, including in gift-giving. There has been a general shift in what people eat, including vegetables and fruits. With people unable to go outside, it seems that many are ordering gifts over the phone or online.
Last year, Yubari melons started out without a celebratory price, but this year they have been priced at a celebratory price and seem to be off to a good start.
This year, with the difference in temperature, the melons are perfect, including the sugar content."
The Hokuryu Sunflower Melon, with its refreshing sweetness, smooth green flesh, and lustrous shine, is the icing on the cake of Hokkaido's summer!!!
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we present the Hokuryu Sunflower Melon, which has overcome many difficulties, grown beautifully, and is filled with the love and exquisite flavor of the producers...
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◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
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