File this one under stupid ways to waste money: A watermelon in Japan recently sold for as much as a used car.

How much? The rare black Densuke watermelon sold for $6,100. The watermelon was the most expensive one to be sold in Japan, and likely the world.

Not all black watermelons sell for this much, but since it weighed a whopping 17 pounds and was the first of the summer harvest, a marine products dealer happily ponied up the dough.

A more moderately priced Densuke watermelon costs around $200. In Japan, melons are status symbols, often given as gifts. Think of them as the Dom Perignon of the East. The melon is considered a delicacy because of its dark skin and distinct taste.

Even more unbelievable: a pair of cantaloupes sold last month for $23,500. If your company’s strapped for cash, consider adding a Japan-based agriculture division.

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Tags: Agriculture, Cantaloupes, Densuke watermelon, Inflation, Produce prices