If you’ve ever strolled through your local grocery store and felt a tiny bit of sticker shock at the fruit aisle, you might want to sit down for this one.
From melons that cost more than your monthly rent to grapes that sell for the price of a new gadget, these pricey produce items prove that fruit can indeed be a luxury.
Below are the top 10 most expensive fruits from around the globe—guaranteed to make you see produce in a whole new light!
1. Yubari King Melon (Japan)
Bred and cultivated exclusively in climate-controlled greenhouses in Yubari on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan, the melons receive just the right balance of sunshine and care. Every Yubari King melon is hand-tended, pruned, and massaged to create a flawlessly smooth rind and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth orange flesh.
Price: In May 2023, a premium pair sold for 3.5 million yen (about USD $25,000). Past auctions have sometimes reached USD $45,000 or more.
Fun Fact: In Japanese culture, gifting fruit is akin to gifting luxury items—think of it like a fruit version of a Chanel handbag.
2. Ruby Roman Grapes (Japan)
They’re large, juicy, and famously sweet with a complex, wine-like flavor—and only a select bunch makes the grade every harvest. Every grape in a Ruby Red bunch must weigh at least 20 grams, and the sugar content must meet a stringent threshold. If even one grape fails the test, the entire bunch is downgraded.
Price: In July 2023, a single bunch fetched 1.2 million yen (approx. USD $8,400).
Fun Fact: A record-breaking bunch sold for over USD $10,000, meaning each grape worked out to well over $100!
3. Densuke Watermelon (Japan)
Grown only on Hokkaido, their deep, glossy black rind and crisp, sweet interior immediately sets it apart from your typical striped watermelon. Because they’re grown only in Hokkaido and in very limited quantities, the scarcity drives up their value. Season’s first fruit often fetches the highest bid.
Price: The first Densuke watermelon of the 2019 season sold for 750,000 yen (around USD $6,000), making it one of the most expensive fruit in the world.
Fun Fact: The rind is so shiny and dark that it almost looks like a polished stone.
4. Taiyo no Tamago Mangoes (Japan)
Translated as “Egg of the Sun,” these mangoes are known for their dazzling, blush-like color, intense sweetness, and vibrant aroma.
Each piece must weigh a minimum of 350 grams and have at least 15% sugar content to earn the “Taiyo no Tamago” label.
To achieve this, farmers in Miyazaki, Japan, take extra care, including placing each mango in a small net that allows sunlight to penetrate uniformly.
Price: In 2022, a pair commanded 600,000 yen (about USD $4,500).
Fun Fact: Farmers in Miyazaki carefully wrap each fruit, checking daily for any imperfections. They’re given near-personalized care—like a baby in a cradle!
5. Pineapples from the Lost Gardens of Heligan (England)
The Lost Gardens of Heligan are famed for their restoration and preservation of bygone agricultural practices. These pineapples are grown in Victorian-style “pineapple pits,” heated with manure.
This labor-intensive method is a rare horticultural art form and it can take It can take years for a single pineapple to mature in these conditions.
When they do, each one is exceptionally juicy with a flavor superior to commercially farmed pineapples.
Price: Rarely sold, but historically valued over USD $1,000 each.
Fun Fact: These pineapples have been presented as royal gifts—the ultimate horticultural tribute.
6. Square Watermelons (Japan)
Grown in specially designed square-shaped boxes, these watermelons were initially shaped to easily fit into refrigerators.
Today, they’re mostly ornamental on account of being harvested before fully ripening. This makes them less tasty than regular watermelons but they’re prized for their conversation-starter quality.
Price: Typically USD $100–$200 apiece in specialty shops.
Fun Fact: People will buy them as decorative pieces, especially in upscale hotels or restaurants looking to show off a unique flair.
7. Sembikiya Queen Strawberries (Japan)
The Sembikiya flagship store is Tokyo’s oldest fruit parlor and is synonymous with high-end fruit gifting—like these strawberries, each of which must be perfectly red, symmetrical, unblemished, and display a lustrous red hue.
Price: Usually USD $80–$100+ per box (6–12 strawberries).
Fun Fact: They’re often sold in elegant gift boxes, almost resembling a box of fine chocolates—though you’ll want to savor the taste rather than hoard them!
8. Sekai Ichi Apples (Japan)
“Sekai Ichi” means “world’s number one” in Japanese, and these apples strive to live up to the name. They’re known for their impressive size (often around two pounds each!) and sweet, juicy flavor. Each apple is hand-pollinated, hand-washed with honey, and thoroughly inspected for blemishes before coming up for sale.
Price: Around USD $20–$25 per apple in upscale fruit shops.
Fun Fact: Because of their size and sweetness, one Sekai Ichi apple might be enough to make an entire apple pie!
9. Honeyberries (Various)
Honeyberries are often described as a cross between blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Also known as haskap berries, they have a short season, a sweet-tart flavor, and are packed with antioxidants.
While not typically sold at high-profile auctions, small-batch growers charge a premium putting them on the list of the most expensive fruit in the world.
Price: Certain rare varieties can cost USD $15–$20 per pound.
Fun Fact: Haskap berries contain high levels of antioxidants, making them a sought-after “superfood”. The Ainu people (indigenous to parts of Japan) have historically prized haskap for its medicinal properties, dubbing it the “elixir of life.”
10. Buddha-Shaped Pears (China)
Molded during their growth to resemble tiny Buddhas with smiling faces and folded arms, these pears are as whimsical as they are tasty.
Their shape ties into Chinese folklore and the idea of an almost “spiritual” fruit that imparts longevity or good fortune. Added bonus: they’re still deliciously sweet and juicy, despite the unusual exterior.
Price: About USD $8–$10 per pear.
Fun Fact: Legend says that consuming these pears can promote health and ward off bad luck—though you’ll have to taste one to find out!
From melons priced like luxury cars to pears shaped like deities, these fruits go far beyond everyday grocery fare. The cost often reflects cultural gifting traditions, rigorous cultivation techniques, and pure novelty.
If you’re ever looking to indulge—or really impress someone—any one of these options will certainly spark conversation (and maybe a bit of sticker shock!).
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