The pundits have already expressed their concern over China’s long-term threat to northern and southern hemisphere apple industries.

It may be hard to visualise the millions of extra tonnes but the reality already seems to be seeping through.

After all, Chinese fruit is not new, and this week I noted that Asda is selling a four pack of the country’s Fuji apples at £1.48 under its Best of Season label - although I have a feeling that consumers, and even some of the trade, would not have the slightest idea of when the Chinese season peaks!

Staying on apples, while there is a far greater acceptance that the Pink Lady registered trademark helps create a premium in the sector, there are still examples of Cripps Pink appearing on the shelf, as is the case with Morrisons.

More generally, it seems there is still a diversity of identification across the fruit sector. Sharonfruit and persimmons - not to mention the special Rojo Brillante - are a case in point, with Asda going for the addition of the word “sweet” on its labels.

Morrisons, meanwhile, is using all sorts of descriptions. Hothouse lettuce at 38p each is a term that, in my memory, goes back to the 1930s, while 99p for 250g of Irish “breakfast” mushrooms is a novel way to draw attention to flats.

Perhaps what was most surprising was that Indian pomegranates, also priced at 99p each, were ticketed up as having been air-freighted.

There is also evidence to support the view that the grape sector is becoming more and more diverse, although the jury seems to still be out on whether long established and valued varieties, such as Thompson Seedless or Italia, are to be called either white or green. Hopefully this is not leading to confusion among consumers.

Adding further to this potential confusion is the fact that apart from simply having red varieties, we now have crimson and even pink. Black grapes are a different matter and Waitrose has introduced South African seedless Midnight Beauty to its Speciality range priced at £2.99 for a 400g punnet.

It would also seem spring is in the air, heralded first by Valentine’s Day and with Mother’s Day following close behind.

It is a time when the tulips start to bloom, and the UK is a substantial provider, although they are intrinsically linked in the public mind to the Netherlands.

On the other fruit counters I have also been spotting increasing volumes of strawberries, which is an indication that at last the Spanish weather has released its hold.

And finally, it will be interesting to plot the course of blueberries this coming summer. Sales of the fruit really represent one of the success stories on the retail shelf, aided by year-round availability.

But, with regard to this category, just who wins when eastern Europe really finds its feet is the question being asked - particularly if pricing levels slip any further?

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