In recent days, the sweet and milky-smelling Chinese “noble” milk grapes have been “making waves” in Vietnamese markets at dirt-cheap prices. This is a famous grape variety from Japan and was introduced to China a few years ago.

Accordingly, at stores, online markets, and sidewalk stalls, this type of Chinese milk grapes is sold everywhere, priced at only 25,000-70,000 VND/kg depending on the type.

In contrast to the super cheap price of Chinese milk grapes, some high-end imported fruit stores are selling Japanese Ruby Roman grapes for 9-11 million VND/bunch or 12 million VND/kg. This is also the most expensive grape variety in the Vietnamese market.

ruby roman grapes
Japanese Ruby Roman is the most expensive grape variety in the world. Photo: Mia Fruit

For example, at the Omiyage Fruits&More store system in Hanoi, Japanese Ruby Roman grapes with shiny red fruit like rubies are sold for 12 million VND/bunch weighing 1kg.

Or Mia Fruits store system is also running a promotion program selling Ruby Roman grapes weighing 0.8kg/bunch for nearly 9 million VND.

Ruby Roman is a famous Japanese grape variety with the highest price in the world. In a recent auction, a bunch of Ruby Roman grapes fetched the highest price of 260 million VND.

To create this premium grape variety, farmers in Ishikawa Prefecture, Central Japan, spent decades researching and successfully cultivating it. Accordingly, Ruby Roman grapes are famous for their high sweetness and low acidity. Each grape of this variety weighs more than 20 grams and is qualified to be brought to the market for consumption.

ruby roman grapes
A 1kg bunch of Ruby Roman grapes costs 12 million VND. Photo: OMIYAGE Fruits&More

This rare grape variety first appeared on the market in 2008. However, the quantity of grapes sold was quite limited and almost exclusive. Up to this point, Ruby Roman grapes are still sold wholesale through auctions at wholesale markets at very high prices due to the limited quantity.

Accordingly, each bunch of grapes weighs 800-1,000 grams, the number of fruits ranges from 24-30 fruits/bunch, fruit diameter 2-3cm, each fruit weighs 30 grams (as big as a ping pong ball).

Inside the grape are two layers like two egg yolks. One layer has the flavor of Japanese peony grapes and the other layer has the flavor of a wine-flavored Pioneer grape. When eaten, these two flavors blend together, melting in the mouth, creating a very special taste.

According to Mia Fruit’s sales staff, the Ruby Roman grape season in Japan is very short. The amount of grapes imported by the store is also limited, so customers who want to buy them must order in advance. In particular, because the price of this type of grape is very expensive, all orders must have a deposit of 50% of the price of the bunch.

After depositing money, 1-2 days later, when there is a shipment from Japan, the store will deliver the grapes to the customer, this employee said.

When it first appeared in the Vietnamese market, in addition to selling the whole bunch for around 10 million VND, some stores also sold by the fruit. The price to buy 1 Ruby Roman grape was 350,000 VND, buying 3 grapes cost 1 million VND.

In the past 2 years, in addition to the super expensive Japanese Ruby Roman grapes, Chinese goods have also appeared in Vietnamese markets for only 270,000 VND/bunch weighing 750 grams. Many people have ordered Chinese Ruby Roman grapes because they want to taste the most expensive grapes in the world.

Shocked by the price of 'noble' milk grapes, from expensive to the cheapest fruit in the market . Bunch of glossy green 'noble' milk grapes are being sold everywhere on street stalls, covering the online market. Some sources are even selling them at shocking prices, only 25,000-30,000 VND/kg.