Thursday, June 26, 2025
- 1 First shipment of sunflower melons
- 2 First Hokuryu sunflower melon auction @ Kyokuichi Co., Ltd. Fruit and Vegetable Auction (Asahikawa City)
- 3 YouTube videos
- 4 Other photos
- 5 Related articles
First shipment of sunflower melons
On Monday, June 23rd from 2:30pm, the first shipment of "Hokuryu Sunflower Melons" was made at the sorting facility of the agricultural product collection and shipping facility of the JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, with 41 boxes of melons (each box weighing 8kg) brought in by farmer Yasunori Watanabe.
- 1 box contains 4 balls, 8 kg
- First shipment: 41 boxes
A speech by Yasunori Watanabe (Vice President of the Sunflower Melon Producers Association)
"This year, cultivation went smoothly, 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, we expect to ship the fruit 55 days after fruit set, but this year we shipped the fruit 60 days after fruit set when it was more mature. As a result, the fruit is very sweet, with a sugar content of 18 degrees," said Watanabe with a smile.
A talk by Yuya Fujikawa, JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Department
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 aim 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 and 17 cases of 5-berry), all of which are of the ``Excellent'' grade, with a sugar content of 18 degrees, the highest ever!
After shipping, the produce will be available for sale from this weekend at JA Kitasorachi, Roadside Station Riceland Fukagawa, and eciR, a farm produce direct sales store, and at Minoritch Hokuryu, a farm and livestock direct sales store in Hokuryu Town.
Commemorative photo
Tasting Time
With the sweet aroma of melon in the air, everyone had a taste!
- delicious!!!
- Fresh and gentle sweetness with a pleasant aftertaste!
- It melts smoothly in your mouth!
- As smooth as silken tofu!
Message from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki
"In Hokuryu, watermelons grow, melons grow, and sunflowers bloom. They're all yellow. Yellow is a very cheerful color.
"I hope that Hokuryu, despite being a small town, will shine brightly, thanks to the taste, appearance, and energy of the producers who make it," Mayor Sasaki said proudly.
First auction of Hokuryu sunflower melon
@ Kyokuichi Fruit and Vegetable Auction (Asahikawa City)
The first auction of Hokuryu melons took place at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24th, the day after the first shipment of melons.
The fruit and vegetable auction area is filled with a huge selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables from all over the country, and the mellow aroma of vegetables and fruits fills the market.
Greetings from those involved prior to the auction
Sunflower Melon Producers Association, Representative Toshimitsu Yamada
Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town
"Today, I spoke to each of you and handed out my business card to you. The town of Hokuryu is fully supporting us, and we will deliver to you the sunflower melons that the producers have worked so hard to cultivate, so we hope you will continue to support us."
JA Kitasorachi, Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of the Hokuryu District
"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 melons are delicious again! We hope you enjoy our Hokuryu sunflower melons this season."
First auction
The auction begins, and the auctioneers' spirited shouts ring out!
The auction went smoothly! The congratulatory price was 100,000 yen (one box of 5 excellent cherries)!
congratulations!
Kyokuichi Co., Ltd.
Comment from Naoto Takahashi, Executive Director (General Manager of the Fruit and Vegetable Division)
After the auction, Mayor Sasaki greeted Naoto Takahashi, Executive Director of Kyokuichi Co., Ltd., and we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear what he had to say.
"Production volumes are decreasing (due to the aging of producers, etc.), but the market always needs a certain amount. That's why we're trying to devise ways to sell our products in various forms. We help increase the value of our products by changing their form, such as by making them into cut fruit to suit consumer needs, or by selling them in their beautiful state as gifts, or by vacuum-packing them for long-term storage.
Until now, our main job has been to purchase and sell products, acting as an "intermediary" between producers and customers. However, going forward, consumers will increasingly demand "convenience" and "new value," so rather than 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 difficult environment. Without this, our business would fundamentally be unsustainable, and ultimately, our producers would no longer be able to continue producing.
We are positioned exactly between those who make and sell (producers) and those who buy (consumers). We believe that our role is to be the best possible bridge between these two parties.
Stabilizing producers' income motivates them to "try again next time" and gives them a sense of security, which leads to future production. And it is precisely because of this appeal and sense of security that the next generation will be happy to participate in production.
Without this, this wonderful agriculture would not last long. To that end, we ourselves must get closer to the production sites, be prepared to work hard together, and create new value.
"We couldn't be more grateful to be able to have such a deep relationship with producers in this 'proper' way. We feel that this is our mission as a wholesale market," he said with a gentle smile.
Lunch Boxes 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 rising sun illuminates the world and symbolizes rising energy.
The horizon symbolizes humility and fundamentality towards nature.
The black lines are visible to people and give a sense of strength supporting the morning sun.The gradation of the morning sun and horizon represents the change of time and demonstrates the company's determination to respond to the ever-changing market.
We will build on these irreplaceable todays 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!
Filled with the love and sweetness of the producers, the finest Hokuryu sunflower melon delivers delicious flavor and energy to people all over the country, bringing them joy, with boundless love, gratitude and prayers...
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles
◇ Photography, editing, and website management: Noboru Terauchi Writer: Ikuko Terauchi
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