OKINAWA, July 4 — JA Okinawa, an agricultural cooperative in Okinawa Prefecture, has put on sale JA Okinawa Premium Mango, Okinawa-grown mangoes that meet its new quality criteria.
The farm coop created a new standard, which requires the same level of sugar content as Chura Mango — Okinawa-grown mangoes of superior quality that meet the strictest standards — but is less strict on the size and blush color.
By creating the new standard, JA Okinawa hopes to secure sufficient amount for shipment and strengthen consumer promotions.
To be labeled as JA Okinawa Premium Mango, the fruit needs to weigh 350 grams or more and have sugar content exceeding 15%, with more than 70% of its surface turning red.
JA Okinawa estimates that roughly 1% of total shipments will meet the criteria and decided to label them as “premium” to promote their rareness.
The mangoes will be shipped to markets outside Okinawa and also be sold at farmers’ markets and retail stores within the prefecture. The suggested retail price is 10,000 yen for a box of two mangoes excluding tax.
JA Okinawa also started selling Konjac jelly containing Okinawa-produced mango juice.
It is the sixth type of Konjac jelly marketed by the agricultural cooperative.
JA Okinawa officials show their new mango products in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.
Okinawa-grown non-standard apple mangoes will also be used to produce the product, which will be priced at 180 yen excluding tax.