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Watermelon Gets Premium Price in Japan
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RENEE MONTAGNE, host:
Our last word in business comes from Japan. It's a country known, not only for fuel efficient cars, but for a unique market in luxury fruit. Melons in particular are often given as extravagant gifts - really extravagant. Today, a unique black-skinned watermelon was auctioned off for $6,100. An official at a Japanese agricultural co-op says it's the highest price ever paid for a watermelon, though a pair of cantaloupes sold last month at an auction in Japan for $23,500. You've got to wonder what they taste like.
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