The earliest first shipment of watermelons in the entire prefecture: Hokuryu Town's exclusive yellow "Sunflower Watermelon"! This is the best product in the 40 years since the cooperative was founded!

Thursday, June 6, 2024

On Thursday, June 6th from 1:30pm, Hokuryu Town's "Sunflower Watermelon" was shipped for the first time at the agricultural product collection and shipping facility of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, making it the top-grossing watermelon in Hokkaido, including red-fleshed watermelons.

The earliest first shipment in Hokkaido, including red-fleshed watermelons

Two farmers, Mr. Akimitsu Takada and Mr. Katsuhiro Sugimoto, chairman of the Sunflower Watermelon Association, have shipped 38 boxes of "Sunflower Watermelons." The first auction will be held on Friday, June 7th, at markets in Asahikawa and Sapporo, and the watermelons are expected to be on store shelves in Hokuryu Town from mid-June onwards.

4 pieces per box - Takada Akimitsu Farm

5 pieces per box - Katsuhiro Sugimoto Farm

The specifications are all excellent!!!

The producers are all full of refreshing smiles!

A talk by Akimitsu Takada, the union president

"The shipment was about seven days earlier than last year. This year's sunflower watermelon is the first shipment in Hokkaido.

Although the temperatures remained low in March, we were able to secure sufficient sunshine. The temperature difference between day and night increased the sweetness of the fruit, resulting in good growth conditions. The sugar content was 12 degrees, so the fruit turned out excellent.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Himawasuika Association, and the watermelons are now at the highest sugar content we have ever experienced.

Yellow small balls have more moisture than red balls and are crisp and have a refreshing sweetness.

"The finished product is worthy of our 40th anniversary, and we are confident in shipping it out!" says Akimitsu Takada, president of the association, proudly.

Chairman Takada being interviewed

Katsuhiro Sugimoto, known as a cutting professional

The meat was then cut into pieces for everyone to taste. The person in charge of cutting it was Katsuhiro Sugimoto, who is known as a cutting professional.

Every time you cut it, juice spurts out!

Sunflower Melon: A lemon-yellow sunflower-like treat

So sweet! So juicy! So delicious!!

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

This season, the same seven farms in Hokuryu Town are planting as last year, with an increased planting area. The total greenhouse area is 525a (411a last year), and the planting area is 305a (285a last year).

Aiming for a sales target of 59 million yen, the company plans to ship 19,000 cases by early September.

Coverage by STV NEWS, NHK Asahikawa Broadcasting Station, Hokkaido Shimbun, and Kita Sorachi Shimbun

STV NEWS

Yesterday, Wednesday, June 5th, STV NEWS covered the event, and it was aired on STV NEWS this morning at around 11:20am.

Hokkaido Shimbun

NHK Hokkaido

Today, we were interviewed by NHK Hokkaido Asahikawa Broadcasting Station.

Sunflower Watermelon Poster

"The refreshingly sweet taste of summer that will bring a smile to your face: Sunflower Watermelon"

Receiving the full blessings of the sun
The "Sunflower Watermelon" grows healthily
The refreshing cream color is
The epitome of a refreshing summer
The refreshing sweet aroma and deliciousness
On the sunburned faces of my family
A refreshing smile spills out

(From the poster text)

Hokuryu Town's sunflower watermelons have been grown in plenty of sunlight and with lots of love from the producers, making them healthy and delicious!

With boundless love, gratitude, and smiles, we send this "Sunflower Watermelon" to you, a sparkling yellow that reminds us of sunflowers.

YouTube videos

Other photos

Photos (39 photos) of the first shipment of sunflower watermelons in 2024 (JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch) are here >>

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