Ruby Roman grapes sell for record price of nearly $11,000 at Japanese auction

July 09: A bunch of grapes sold for a record price of nearly $11,000 at an auction in Japan.

The 30 Ruby Roman grapes sold for 1.1m yen ($10,938) or about $350 for each ping pong ball sized grape, according to The Guardian.

“We will display them at our store before giving our customers a sample taste,” auction-winner Takamaru Konishi told the BBC.

The grapes were grown in Ishikawa prefecture and confirmed to meet the qualifications necessary to be classified as a Ruby Roman, weighing .7 ounces and containing a sugar content of at least 18 percent.

“I am so happy and I am honored,” Konishi said. “These are truly Ruby Roman gems.”

Fruit often sell at high prices in Japan and are considered high-ranking gifts similar to vintage wine. Melons can be particularly expensive, as a pair was sold for more than $12,000 at auction in 2015. Upi.com