Bunch of grapes sell for $15,000 in Japan

The Ruby Roman grapes that sold for 1.1 million yen ($14,900) in Japan. Photo / Getty

A bunch of grapes has sold for a record price at a Japanese auction where the grapes are deemed a symbol of high class status.

The Ruby Roman grapes have always sold for high prices, but the winning bid of 1.1 million yen ($15,000) has set records.

The variety of grapes are grown in Ishikawa prefacture and each bunch has 30 grapes about the size of ping-pong balls.

The hefty price, $500 per grape, was put forward by a supermarket owner, who told the BBC he was "honoured" to have won the auction.

"We will display them at our store before giving our customers a sample taste," Takamaru Konishi said.

Japanese people are willing to pay high prices for the best samples of fruit.

Melons have often sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Sometimes fruit can be given as gifts to people perceived to be of higher status, for example an employee might give a melon to their boss at work.