Bunch of Ruby Roman grapes sold for £8,350

Foodies around the world are usually prepared to spend a little more to get good quality meals but the latest news from Japan will shock even the most dedicated food fans.

A bunch of grapes grown in the Ishikawa Prefecture was sold for £8,350 at auction recently. These aren't any old grapes however, the bunch of 30 are of the Ruby Roman variety and are particularly sought after in Japan.

Each Ruby Roman grape is about the size of a ping pong ball and this is the first batch of the season.

According to the BBC the grapes were bought by Takamaru Konishi, a supermarket owner who is planning on handing them out to customers.

He said: "I am so happy and I am honoured. These are truly Ruby Roman gems."

With 30 grapes in the bunch and an overall price of £8,350, Mr Konishi has effectively paid around £278 for each of the famous grapes.

In Japan the fruit is considered somewhat of a status symbol and, according to the Guardian, this particular type of grape has been in cultivation since 1992.

There are strict rules to follow when it comes to growing the Ruby Roman grapes too. Each grape must be 20g in weight and have an 18% sugar content.

It's not just grapes that fetch high prices in Japan, fruit is notoriously expensive in the country and is often considered a luxury item.

In 2014, the Independent reported that there had been 16,000 bunches of Ruby Roman grapes sold.

In 2011 the first Densuke watermelon of the season was also sold for an eye-wateringly expensive £1,750.

While Asda may be encouraging the British public to buy their 'wonky veg', in Japan it's the cream of the crop they're looking for.

The fruits that are fetching the highest prices are those grown to perfection, without any lumps or bumps!