<p>In what might be the unlikeliest indicator of a post-pandemic recovery, a pair of premium Japanese melons have sold for $24,800 at auction, over 22 times more than last year's virus-hit price.</p>.<p>The 2.7 million yen price tag at the season's first auction for the famed Yubari melons is still a snip compared to records for the prized produce.</p>.<p>"This year's recovery in price can be seen as a result of buyers looking to encourage people by putting in higher bids," a wholesale market official told AFP.</p>.<p>The successful bidder was a local manufacturer of baby food, whose president said he hoped the purchase would spread a bit of a good cheer.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/gi-certified-gholvad-chikoo-from-maharashtra-begins-uk-journey-987875.html" target="_blank">GI-certified Gholvad Chikoo from Maharashtra begins UK journey</a></strong></p>.<p>"Although there's still plenty of negative news, I hope this can help people smile and overcome the coronavirus pandemic," he told national broadcaster NHK.</p>.<p>Seasonal fruit offerings in Japan routinely attract massive sums from buyers seeking prestige and plenty of free publicity.</p>.<p>In 2019, a pair of Yubari melons went for a record five million yen but the price plunged to just 120,000 yen last year, with growers blaming the virus for keeping away rich bidders eager to outdo each other.</p>.<p>The melons come from Hokkaido, the country's northernmost main island and a popular tourist destination.</p>.<p>The region is currently under a virus state of emergency along with nine other areas including the capital Tokyo.</p>
<p>In what might be the unlikeliest indicator of a post-pandemic recovery, a pair of premium Japanese melons have sold for $24,800 at auction, over 22 times more than last year's virus-hit price.</p>.<p>The 2.7 million yen price tag at the season's first auction for the famed Yubari melons is still a snip compared to records for the prized produce.</p>.<p>"This year's recovery in price can be seen as a result of buyers looking to encourage people by putting in higher bids," a wholesale market official told AFP.</p>.<p>The successful bidder was a local manufacturer of baby food, whose president said he hoped the purchase would spread a bit of a good cheer.</p>.<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/gi-certified-gholvad-chikoo-from-maharashtra-begins-uk-journey-987875.html" target="_blank">GI-certified Gholvad Chikoo from Maharashtra begins UK journey</a></strong></p>.<p>"Although there's still plenty of negative news, I hope this can help people smile and overcome the coronavirus pandemic," he told national broadcaster NHK.</p>.<p>Seasonal fruit offerings in Japan routinely attract massive sums from buyers seeking prestige and plenty of free publicity.</p>.<p>In 2019, a pair of Yubari melons went for a record five million yen but the price plunged to just 120,000 yen last year, with growers blaming the virus for keeping away rich bidders eager to outdo each other.</p>.<p>The melons come from Hokkaido, the country's northernmost main island and a popular tourist destination.</p>.<p>The region is currently under a virus state of emergency along with nine other areas including the capital Tokyo.</p>