Thursday, June 26, 2025
- 1 First shipment of Sunflower melons
- 2 First auction of Hokuryu sunflower melons @ Kyokuichi Co., Ltd. Fruit and vegetable auction (Asahikawa City)
- 3 Youtube Video
- 4 More Photos
- 5 Related Articles
First shipment of Sunflower melons
On Monday, June 23rd from 2:30pm, the first shipment of Hokuriku Sunflower Melons was made at the sorting facility of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuriku Branch Office. Farmer Watanabe Yasunori brought in 41 boxes of melons (each box weighing 8kg).
- 1 box 4 balls 8kg
- First shipment: 41 boxes
A speech by Yasunori Watanabe (Vice President of the Sunflower Melon Producers Association)
"This year, cultivation went well, but despite the bad weather that continued for about half a month from March, the growing conditions are good and shipments are about a week later than usual.
"Usually, the fruit is expected to be shipped 55 days after it has set, but this year, it was shipped 60 days after it set, when the fruit was more ripe. As a result, the fruit has a sugar content of 18 degrees, making it very sweet," said Watanabe with a smile.
A talk by Yuya Fujikawa, JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Division
This year, the Hokuryu Melon Producers Association has 23 melon farms (with a planting area of 435a, of which 73a is red-fleshed melons). They are aiming to ship 20,000 cases by mid-August and achieve sales of 100 million yen.
Today's shipment is 41 cases (24 cases of 4-berry grapes and 17 cases of 5-berry grapes), all of which are of the ``Excellent'' grade with a sugar content of 18 degrees, the highest ever!
Once shipped, the produce will be on sale from this weekend at the JA Kitasorachi, Riceland Fukagawa Roadside Station, and eciR Agricultural Produce Direct Sales Center, as well as the Minoritch Hokuriku Agricultural and Livestock Direct Sales Center in Hokuriku Town.
commemorative photograph
Tasting time
As the sweet aroma of melon fills the air, everyone has a taste!
- delicious!!!
- Fresh and gentle sweetness with a pleasant aftertaste!
- It melts smoothly in your mouth!
- As smooth as silken tofu!
Yasuhiro Sasaki Mayor's Message
"In Hokuryu, watermelons grow, melons grow, and sunflowers bloom. They're all yellow. Yellow is a very uplifting color.
"I hope that Hokuryu town will shine despite its small size, thanks to the taste, appearance, and energy of the people who produce it," Mayor Sasaki said proudly.
First sale of Hokuryu sunflower melon
@ Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction (Asahikawa City)
The first auction of Hokuryu melons took place on Tuesday, June 24th, the day after the first shipment of melons, at 6:50 a.m. at the Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction House (Asahikawa City).
The fruit and vegetable auction floor is filled with seasonal produce from all over Japan. The mellow aroma of fruits and vegetables fills the market.
Greetings from stakeholders prior to the auction
Sunflower Melon Producers Association Representative Toshimitsu Yamada
Yasuhiro Sasaki, Mayor, Hokuryu Town
"Today, I had the opportunity to speak to each of you and hand out my business card to you all. The town of Hokuryu has the full support of us, and we will deliver to you the sunflower melons that the producers have worked so hard to grow, so we appreciate your continued support."
Minoru Nagai, JA Kitasorachi, Hokuryu District Representative Director
"This year's melons were shipped a little later than usual, but they are very delicious with a sugar content of 18 degrees.We will be able to deliver delicious melons this year as well, so we hope you will continue to support us."
Sunflower Melon Producers Association Representative Toshimitsu Yamada
"This year's produce is delicious again! We hope you will enjoy our Hokuryu sunflower melons this season."
First auction
The auction begins, and the auctioneers' spirited shouts ring out!
The auction ended in a flash! The gift price was 100,000 yen (one box of 5 excellent cherry blossoms)!
Congratulations!
Kyokuichi Co., Ltd.
Comment from Naoto Takahashi, Executive Director (Head of the Fruit and Vegetable Division)
After the auction, Mayor Sasaki paid a visit to Kyokuichi Corporation's Executive Director and Director Takahashi Naoto, and we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to speak with him.
"Production volumes are declining compared to the past (due to producers aging, etc.), but the market always needs a certain amount. That's why we're trying to find ways to sell our products in various forms. We help increase the value of our products by changing the form, such as by making them into cut fruit to suit consumer needs, or selling them in their beautiful form as gifts, or by vacuum-packing them for long-term storage.
Up until now, our main job has been to buy and sell products, acting as an intermediary between producers and customers. However, from now on, consumers will increasingly demand "convenience" and "new value," so instead of simply passing products from one place to another, we will take the extra step of delivering them to the market.
Ultimately, the most important thing is the stable income of our producers who have worked so hard to create their products in such a harsh environment. Without it, our business would basically be unsustainable, and ultimately, our producers would not be able to continue making their products.
We are in the middle between the people who make and sell our products (producers) and the people who buy our products (consumers). We believe that our role is to be the best possible bridge between these two parties.
The producers' income becomes stable, which leads to a sense of security and motivation to "try again next time," which leads to future production. And it is precisely because of this appeal and sense of security that the next generation is happy to participate in production.
Without this, this wonderful agriculture would not last long. To that end, we must get closer to the production sites, work hard together with them, and create new value.
"I couldn't be more grateful if we could have this opportunity to have a deep relationship with the producers in a proper way. I feel that this is our mission as a wholesale market," he said with a gentle smile.
Lunch Box and Office Introduction
After the first auction, a sumptuous breakfast was served in the restaurant of Kyokuichi Co., Ltd. on the second floor of the market. We enjoyed a delicious meal while chatting in a friendly atmosphere.
Plate text
The characters for "Asahi Ichi" are shaped to represent the morning sun and the horizon.
The morning sun symbolizes rising energy that brightens the world.
The horizon symbolizes humility and fundamental respect for nature.
The black lines are visible to the public and give a sense of the strength supporting the morning sun.The gradation of the morning sun and the horizon represents the change of time, demonstrating our determination to respond to the ever-changing market.
We will build on this irreplaceable today and create a new history.
Sunflower melon is the king of summer fruits, boasting a refreshing sweetness and a smooth texture that melts in your mouth!
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we offer the finest Hokuryu sunflower melons, which are full of the love of the producers, are full of sweetness, and bring deliciousness and energy to people all over the country...
Youtube Video
More Photos
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◇ ◇ Photography, editing and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi
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