Due to persistent and intense heatwaves, Japan is witnessing an increase in out-of-spec summer vegetables. However, excellent prices have been associated with this unexpected surplus as the farmers are selling their bounty at incredibly low rates. This phenomenon is primarily prevalent in local markets across the country, where consumers can take advantage of the great deals on these nutritious, perfectly edible, but irregularly shaped veggies.

This is quite significant news in Japan, a country that typically upholds high aesthetic standards for produce, often leading to significant food waste of "ugly" but perfectly edible fruits and vegetables. With this trend, it's plausible that Japanese consumers' attitude towards unconventional looking produce may be slowly changing, buoyed by the economic benefits.

In the US and the EU, the appreciation of "ugly" fruits and vegetables is a somewhat established movement, with efforts including discounted sales of such produce and awareness campaigns educating consumers that such fruits and veggies are perfectly good to eat. The stigma around them is diminishing, and their popularity is gaining traction with economic and environmental benefits.