Prague’s Green mart: Were Exotic Fruit Comes at a Premium
A new convenience store, Green Mart, located near Bílá Labuta in Prague, is drawing attention – and sticker shock - with its exceptionally high fruit prices. A reader recently contacted a local publication, expressing disbelief at the cost of the beautifully displayed produce, questioning who could afford to shop there. A visit to the store confirmed the concerns.
Green Mart, marked with a “freshly opened” sign, operates from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The store’s window display, featuring a vibrant array of both familiar and exotic fruits, immediately attracts passersby, especially tourists. All fruit is individually wrapped in plastic, with some items already peeled or pre-cut. Beyond the fruit selection,the store’s remaining inventory appears standard.
However, the prices are anything but. Customers are charged per 100 grams, a detail that surprised a group of tourists observed during a recent visit. Despite initial hesitation, the tourists purchased a tub of strawberries, requiring a second trip to their wallets after learning the final cost.
Prices for common berries are considerably higher than typical Czech rates: 100 grams of blueberries cost 69.90 crowns, raspberries 79.90 crowns, blackberries 109.90 crowns,and strawberries 49.90 crowns. The strawberries originated in Belgium, the blackberries in Holland, and the blueberries in Peru.Tubs typically weighed between 300 and 400 grams.
The prices escalate dramatically for pre-cut and peeled fruit. Mangoes, sold in small portions, cost almost 70 crowns. A kilogram of pineapple is priced at 249.90 crowns, sliced papayas at 699.90 crowns, and dragon fruit at a staggering 1,400 crowns per kilo. Many packages bear “consume by today” dates.
The most striking price was found on peeled pomelo.While a whole pomelo typically sells for between 34.90 and 79.90 crowns elsewhere in prague (recently spotted at Lidl for 49.90 crowns), Green Mart offers a kilogram of peeled pomelo for 559.90 crowns, or roughly 250 crowns for a tray of several pieces. “I understand peeling a pomelo is annoying, but a normal person can’t buy this, can they?” remarked a vegetable vendor from the outskirts of Prague. The fruit is sourced from Vietnam.
Travelers familiar with Southeast Asian markets, where pre-cut fruit is common, noted the disparity. Jana, a frequent visitor to Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, stated that a comparable portion in those countries would cost around 40 crowns.
Green Mart’s pricing strategy positions it as a potential contender for the most expensive fruit retailer in Prague, catering to a niche market willing to pay a premium for convenience and exotic selections.
