The Miyazaki mango nicknamed the "Sun Egg" is the most EXPENSIVE mango in the world

The Miyazaki mango nicknamed the "Sun Egg" for its vibrant color and egg-like shape, holds the crown for the world's most expensive mango.  Priced at over $5,000 a pair in Japan, this luxurious fruit is meticulously cultivated.

Believe it or not, Bangladesh is now home to this sunshine-colored delicacy.  Hobbyists first brought the Miyazaki seedling to the country, and gradually, commercial production began to flourish.  The 2023-24 season saw a record 25 tons of Miyazaki mangoes harvested, raising hopes for even greater yields in the future.

While the price tag in Bangladesh is significantly lower than its origins, hovering around Tk1,000-Tk2,000 per kilogram, it's still considered a premium fruit.  Experts point out the key difference lies in cultivation methods.  Japan's meticulous approach, involving special greenhouses and precise monitoring, produces the vibrant red hue contributing to Miyazaki's prestige.  In Bangladesh, these methods have yet to be widely adopted.

Despite the color difference, Bangladeshi Miyazaki mangoes are gaining popularity.  The Department of Agriculture Extension is actively promoting its cultivation, and the future looks bright for the Sun Egg's rise in Bangladesh.

Pic credit: Arafat's Rooftop Garden

Can we also measure a place's wealth or richness if it only has lower poverty?

While low poverty rates are an important indicator of a country's or region's socioeconomic well-being, they are not the sole measure of its wealth or richness. Wealth and economic prosperity are multi-faceted concepts that encompass various dimensions. Here are some key indicators and factors to consider when measuring a place's wealth or richness beyond just poverty rates:

### 1. **Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP Per Capita:**

- **GDP:** The total value of goods and services produced in a country. A higher GDP indicates a larger economy.

- **GDP Per Capita:** GDP divided by the population, which gives an average economic output per person. This helps measure the standard of living and economic prosperity.

### 2. **Income Distribution and Inequality:**

- **Gini Coefficient:** A measure of income inequality within a country. Lower inequality often indicates a more equitable distribution of wealth, contributing to overall economic stability and social well-being.

- **Income Quintiles:** Analyzing income distribution across different segments of the population provides insights into economic disparity and wealth concentration.

### 3. **Human Development Index (HDI):**

- **HDI:** A composite index that includes life expectancy, education level, and per capita income. It provides a broader perspective on well-being and quality of life.

### 4. **Employment and Job Quality:**

- **Unemployment Rate:** Lower unemployment rates typically indicate better economic health.

- **Job Quality:** This includes factors like job security, working conditions, and wages, which contribute to overall economic well-being.

### 5. **Access to Education and Healthcare:**

- **Education:** Higher literacy rates, school enrollment rates, and educational attainment are indicators of a well-developed economy.

- **Healthcare:** Access to quality healthcare and higher life expectancy are critical indicators of a wealthy and well-functioning society.

### 6. **Infrastructure and Technology:**

- **Infrastructure:** Quality of roads, transportation systems, utilities, and communication networks.

- **Technology:** Access to and usage of technology, including internet penetration and digital services.

### 7. **Quality of Life and Social Services:**

- **Social Services:** Availability and quality of public services like social security, housing, and public safety.

- **Quality of Life:** Includes factors like environmental quality, leisure and cultural activities, and general living conditions.

### 8. **Savings and Investment:**

- **Savings Rate:** The proportion of income saved by individuals and households, which indicates financial security and future investment potential.

- **Investment in Physical and Human Capital:** Investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare contribute to long-term economic growth.

### 9. **Foreign Investment and Trade:**

- **Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):** Higher levels of FDI indicate confidence in the country's economy and can lead to job creation and economic growth.

- **Trade Balance:** A positive trade balance (exports greater than imports) can be a sign of economic strength.

### Conclusion:

Low poverty rates are a positive sign, but they are just one piece of the puzzle. A comprehensive assessment of a place’s wealth or richness requires considering various economic, social, and quality-of-life indicators. These factors together provide a more complete picture of the economic health and prosperity of a country or region.

Why is the Philippine peso have a higher value than the Japanese yen however they are richer

 The value of a currency, such as the Philippine peso (PHP) or the Japanese yen (JPY), is influenced by a variety of factors and does not directly correlate with the overall wealth or economic strength of a country. Here are some key reasons why the Philippine peso might have a higher nominal value than the Japanese yen despite Japan being a much wealthier nation:

 

1. **Currency Denomination Practices: **

- **Historical and Policy Choices: ** The nominal value of a currency is often influenced by historical and policy decisions. Japan has a tradition of using larger denominations for its currency. For example, instead of dividing their currency into units like cents, they have stuck with the yen, leading to larger numbers in day-to-day transactions.

- **Revaluation and Redenomination: ** Countries occasionally revalue or redenominate their currencies to make them more manageable. The Philippines and Japan have followed different paths in this regard, with the yen being kept at a higher nominal count.

 

2. **Inflation and Economic Policies: **

- **Inflation Rates: ** Japan has experienced very low inflation and even deflation over the past few decades. This contrasts with the Philippines, which has had higher inflation rates. Lower inflation in Japan means that the currency's purchasing power is more stable over time, but this does not directly impact the nominal value.

- **Monetary Policies: ** Japan's central bank, the Bank of Japan, has engaged in significant monetary easing and quantitative easing policies to combat deflation and stimulate the economy. These policies can influence the currency's nominal value.

 

3. **Economic Structure and Wealth: **

- **Economic Output and Wealth: ** Japan is a much wealthier country with a higher GDP per capita than the Philippines. This wealth is reflected in the overall purchasing power and economic strength, not necessarily in the nominal value of the currency.

- **Export-Driven Economy: ** Japan has a strong export-driven economy, and a weaker yen can benefit Japanese exporters by making their products cheaper abroad. Therefore, there is less incentive to strengthen the yen's nominal value significantly.

 

4. **Exchange Rate Policies and Market Dynamics: **

- **Exchange Rate Policies: ** Both countries have different approaches to managing their exchange rates. Japan’s exchange rate policy has often focused on maintaining a competitive edge for its exports, while the Philippines might have different priorities.

- **Market Dynamics: ** Exchange rates are influenced by supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets, which are affected by trade balances, foreign investments, and other economic factors. The relative strength of the peso and yen is a result of these complex market dynamics.

 

5. **Cultural and Psychological Factors: **

- **Consumer and Business Practices: ** The use of higher nominal values in daily transactions can become a norm due to cultural and psychological factors. For example, in Japan, consumers and businesses are accustomed to dealing with prices in the thousands and tens of thousands of yen.

 

Conclusion:

The nominal value of a currency like the Philippine peso being higher than the Japanese yen does not imply that the Philippine economy is stronger or wealthier than Japan’s. It is a result of historical, economic, and policy choices made by each country over time. Wealth and economic strength are better measured by factors like GDP, GDP per capita, and overall purchasing power rather than the nominal exchange rates of their currencies.