Shine Muscat is targeted!
～Translation of high-grade grape theft one after another～ September 10th 20:29
Shine Muscat is a high-grade grape that is popular for its refreshing sweetness that can be eaten with the skin.
The season is approaching, and the damage that is being stolen at the tip of the ship that is about to be shipped is continuing.
Where has Shine Muscat gone?
(Network news department reporter Rie Oishi Yasuyo Mabuchi Mayo Ogura / Reporter Ayaka Iwasawa, Maebashi Broadcasting Station)
Suspicious person captured by security camera
On August 24th, about 50 Shine Muscat bunches were found missing from a branch at a farm in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture.
The branches have traces that seem to have been cut with scissors.
Just 6 days before that, this image was recorded on the security camera of this farm.
A suspicious person, who appears to be wearing hooded clothes, enters and leaves the field.
This is an image of a camera installed in another vineyard of different varieties, and it seems that 6 or 7 cells were stolen.
Producers who have stolen the grapes that they have grown sincerely before harvesting.
Yosuke Nakazato
"Grapes don't grow in 2 days a day, they take time to make. It's easy to bring them in just one day, and I get angry."
Worth 42,000 yen
On the other hand, this place where Shine Muscat etc. are lined up on the floor is a dojo of a police station, not a store.
On the 9th, a 68-year-old man in Niigata prefecture was arrested on the suspicion of stealing 31 bunches of grapes, including 22 bunches of Shine Muscat, worth about 42,000 yen, from a vineyard in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture on the 9th.
In addition, approximately 50 bunches of Shine Muscat were stolen in a vineyard in Yamanashi City in August, and damage is occurring one after another during this harvest season.
Shine Muscat Why are you targeted
According to the people involved in the market, Shine Muscat has been on the market since around 2007, and has gained popularity due to its high sugar content, the ease with which it can be eaten with its skin, and its attractive appearance.
Prices gradually settled down as production increased, but they are still high.
At Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, the average price in July this year is about 3500 yen per kilo, which is outstanding compared to other grapes.
Why and for what purpose are thefts one after another?
The person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries declined that there were few cases where the criminal could be found and refused to understand the actual situation, and then analyzed as follows.
Person in charge of Horticultural Crops Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
"If it is stolen in a small amount, it can be considered personal consumption, but in the case of a large amount stolen, it is considered to be the purpose of selling. Shine Muscat is Kyoho Compared to other grapes, it may be harder to lose fruit, and it may be easier to maintain product value and easier to sell.
We also spoke to experts who are familiar with the distribution of fruits.
Professor
Shinichi
Oizumi:
Shine Muscat has a high unit price and is popular no matter where you list it. Generally speaking, it is thought that he stole it for the purpose of selling it. However, since fruits do not last long, it is difficult to handle and soon It is worthless if you do not sell it. In that regard, recently there are sites and applications to buy and sell on the Internet, and it is easy for individuals to sell, so it may be easier to judge.”
Is there a pitfall in sending SNS?
What is your countermeasure?
Under what circumstances will theft damage occur?
At the orchard where grapes and peaches have been stolen, I have pointed out that there is a pitfall in transmitting information on SNS based on my own experience.
This orchard introduces this episode on its website.
"The day before, I posted to SNS saying, "Pear ○○, Grape ○○ will begin harvesting tomorrow!", and the next day the variety was stolen."
When I posted the harvest schedule in the middle of the night, the varieties were stolen by the time the next day, before I went out to the fields.
It is said that this orchard actively uses SNS as a tool for sales promotion, which has led to the acquisition of 20 to 30% of new customers so far.
However, it seems that someone who saw the posting on SNS stole it in a timely manner, so the fact is that it is refusing to post the harvest schedule.
At the same time, the orchard is also taking measures against theft on the hardware side, and has installed a light and camera that detects the movement of people and lights and takes pictures.
The fact is that it has not been damaged so far, but I am deeply afraid of successive thefts in various places.
A man from the orchard
"Fruits can only be harvested once a year, so if the fruits that have been cultivated over time are stolen, it will put pressure on the management. Also, the customers who waited in anticipation Since the product will not be delivered anymore, the theft is sad and resentful.''
In addition, he wants the general public to know that stolen fruits are not in the best condition for the production professionals.
A man from the orchard
"Farmers harvest fruits at the right time while looking at the condition one by one, but criminals steal at once, so some of the fruits are unripe. Some of them are bad. I think if this is known, it will reduce the number of buyers who sell sideways, and if that happens, the number of people who steal will decrease.
Consumer interest
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2018, the crops damaged by theft were peaches, grapes, cabbage, cabbage, apples, cherries, strawberries, etc.
Not only Shine Muscat, but various types of crops are affected.
Furthermore, there are many cases where the solution cannot be resolved, and even if the producer takes measures, it is difficult to eliminate the damage.
Through this interview, I was able to learn once again how producers take the time and effort to "deliver delicious food" and carefully cultivate agricultural products.
For that reason, we would like to continue to pay attention to what to do with the theft of agricultural products, rather than just taking it as an issue for producers only.