Why source from Japan
Yubari Cooperative monopoly on the Yubari King name; controlled greenhouse cultivation since 1961; ultra-premium gift-economy positioning unique to Japan.
Key spec
Brix 13-15+; flesh orange (carotenoid-rich); cooperative-grade A pairs auction $5,000-$30,000+.
Typical end-product
Ultra-premium gift fruit, fine-dining dessert, hospitality VIP amenity.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- Phase 1 onboarding in progress
- Typical MOQ
- 10–100 fruits (gift-pack); bulk volume cooperative-allocated
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks (in-season)
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido (Yubari city, exclusively)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- May – August (greenhouse-controlled)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; cooperative-trademark protected
- Japanese name
- 夕張メロン
- Romaji
- 夕張メロン
About this ingredient
Premium Japanese melon hybrid (Yubari King) cultivated exclusively in Yubari city, Hokkaido. Distinguished by orange flesh, intense sweetness (Brix 13-15+), and exceptional uniformity — a result of single-origin cooperative cultivation under controlled greenhouse conditions. Pairs of Yubari melons routinely auction for $5,000-$30,000+ in season. Cooperative-trademark protected; only Yubari-cultivated fruit qualifies for the Yubari King name. Substantial gift-economy and ultra-premium retail export to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; cooperative-trademark protected |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; phytosanitary certificate required |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; phytosanitary required |
| China | GACC food facility registration; phytosanitary |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Yubari King Melon is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Yubari King Melon faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Phase 1 manufacturer onboarding is in progress. If you are actively sourcing this ingredient and would like to be introduced to candidate Japanese producers, send an inquiry and our team will return with options.
Disclaimer
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Last updated: 2026-05-05