The earliest first shipment of watermelon in all of Hokkaido, the yellow watermelon "Himawari Watermelon" only in Hokuryu Town! The best harvest in the 40th year since the union was established!

Thursday, June 6, 2024

From 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, at the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch's Agricultural Products Collection and Shipping Facility, Hokuryu Town's Himawari watermelons, including red-fleshed watermelons, were the top first shipment in Hokkaido.

Earliest first shipment in Hokkaido, including red-fleshed watermelon

The first 38 boxes of "Himawari Suika" were shipped from two farmers, Mr. Akimitsu Takada, Chairman of Himawari Suika Kumiai, and Mr. Katsuhiro Sugimoto. 38 boxes of Himawari Suika will be auctioned at Asahikawa and Sapporo markets on Friday, June 7, and will be available in stores in Hokuryu Town from mid-June onward.

4 balls per box, Takada Akimitsu Farm

5 balls per box, Katsuhiro Sugimoto Farm

The standards are all "excellent"!

The producers are all full of fresh smiles!

Akimitsu Takada, Union President

We shipped about seven days earlier than last year. Sunflower watermelon is the top first shipment in Hokkaido this year.

March was a month of low temperatures, but sunshine hours were secured. The difference in temperature between day and night increased the sweetness of the grapes, resulting in good growth conditions. The sugar content was 12 degrees, which is an excellent result.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Himawa Watermelon Association, and we are experiencing the highest sugar content we have ever experienced.

Yellow kodama have more moisture than red dama and are crispy, fresh, and sweet.

We are proud to announce that our products have done so well that they are worthy of our 40th anniversary! says Akimitsu Takada, the union president, proudly.

Mr. Takada, President of the union, being interviewed

Katsuhiro Sugimoto, known as a cutting professional

The slices were cut on the spot and everyone tasted them. Mr. Katsuhiro Sugimoto, who is known as a professional cutter, was in charge of cutting.

The juice spurts out every time it is cut!

Sunflower melon" with the glow of lemon yellow sunflowers

It's so sweet! It's so fresh! Delicious!

Hokuryu Town is the only place in the whole province that produces small yellow watermelons.

This season, in Hokuryu Town, the same seven farmers as last year planted the crop, increasing the area planted. The total area of greenhouses is 525a (411a last year), with 305a planted (285a last year).

The company plans to ship 19,000 cases by early September with a sales target of 59 million yen.

Interviews with STV NEWS, NHK Asahikawa Broadcasting Station, Hokkaido Shimbun and Kita Sorachi Shimbun

STV NEWS

Yesterday, June 5 (Wed.), STV NEWS interviewed the event, and it was aired on STV NEWS at around 11:20 this morning.

Hokkaido newspaper

NHK Hokkaido

Today, the NHK Hokkaido Asahikawa Broadcasting Station came to cover the event.

Sunflower watermelon poster

The Taste of Summer, with a Smile, is a refreshingly sweet sunflower watermelon.

Filled with the blessings of the sun
Sunflower watermelon" growing well
The cool, fresh cream color is full of coolness.
A truly refreshing synonym for summer.
The clean, sweet aroma and delicious taste is
On the face of a sunburned family member.
Refreshing smile!

(From the poster description)

Sunflower watermelons from the town of Hokuryu are full of sunshine, full of love from the growers, and grown healthy and delicious!

We send our endless love, gratitude and smiles to "Himawari Suika," a sparkling yellow watermelon that reminds us of sunflowers.

Youtube Video

More Photos

First shipment of sunflower watermelon 2024 (JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch) Click here for 39 photos >>

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