Fruits are such a common part of most peoples diets that one would rarely think about what the most expensive fruits in the world are. After all, while people may blow their budget on things such as vacations, expensive shoes, or even gourmet meals at a fine restaurant, rarely do you hear about someone spending thousands on fruit.
The idea of expensive fruit really took off in Japan, a nation that has introduced things such as a $6 banana to common grocery stores and even offered $20 three-piece strawberry boxes. While those are definitely pricey, the fruits on this list will put those numbers to shame and make those strawberries seem like a bargain.
So what makes certain fruits so expensive? Like many things, it comes down to the rareness and prestige of the fruit. In making this list, we looked at the highest price that these fruits have been sold at to determine the rankings. While there may be a chance you could find them for a cheaper price, this represents the value they’ve definitively commanded on the open market.
Fruit is often used in conjunction with exercise, and to see other foods that serve this purpose, check out our list of the 5 best foods to eat before running. The fruits on this list, however, are almost definitely too expensive to use as pre-workout supplements.
Ready to treat yourself to a fruit salad worth more than a car? Let’s take a look at the most expensive fruits in the world.
6. Ruby Roman Grapes
Thirty of these grapes were purchased for a wedding in Japan for $5,400, or $180 per grape back in 2008 and that was seemingly crazy. Yet, in 2011, 25 grapes were sold for $6400, or about $255 per grape. These grapes are red skinned and can weigh up to 20 grams each. Both of these purchases were for weddings, and that seems like one of the few potentially logical times to spend this type of money on grapes…or not.
The most expensive fruits in the world only get more juicy and expensive for me. Head to the next page to check them out.
5. Egg of the Sun Mangoes
These mangoes get their name because of their label, Taiyo no Tamago, which translates to egg of the sun. Two of these mangoes were sold for just under $2,600. The reason for the price tag comes from the label, which is known to have a very selective process in choosing the mangoes that get this label. They must have a certain weight and sugar content to get the label, and once they have, they become one of the most expensive fruits in the world.
4. Northern Territory Mangoes
Back in 2012, twelve of these Australian mangoes sold for $50,000, or about $4,166 per mango. They were sold for a charity auction, which definitely has a large part to do with the price tag, though they are rumored to be the best tasting mangoes in the world.
3. Densuke Black Watermelon
These are sold throughout Japan and supposedly taste different from other watermelons, with a unique sweetness about them. They have a black coating giving it a different look and they are incredibly rare. They are only grown on one island in Japan and there are only 100 of them produced each year. In 2008, a massive watermelon sold for the largest amount in history at $5,437.
2. Yubari Melon
The Yubari Melon is often a gift in Japan, and is looked upon as a status symbol of sorts. It’s held in extremely high regard and thought to be exchanged only by the ultra elite. Moreover, the melon is known for its sweetness and the special greenhouse techniques used to grow them. Two of these recently sold for just under $14,000, at about $6,900 per melon.
1. Pineapple from Cornwall, England
The most expensive fruit on our list shockingly doesn’t come from Japan. This pineapple is grown in the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, England, and is grown using an elaborate process. They are grown in greenhouses, covered in horse manure, urine, and straw, and grown over a two year span. This method is necessary given England’s cold climate as pineapples are not normally grown in this region. As they take two years to grow, these pineapples are never brought to market, which is a big factor in their rarity. Instead, staffers of the garden are given these as presents for their work, and they are extremely hard to find for sale. The most recent sale of one of these pineapples went for about $15,833, making it the most expensive fruit in the world.
