Barlow estimated that about a quarter of the total 60,000 tonne dessert crop remains in storage, of which the majority are the UK's leading variety. Others include Gala, Jonagold, Egremont and Red Pippin. Gala is expected to be finished by the end of the month.

'Cox is still eating very well, indicating that some very good quality fruit was put into store,' he said.

It is this aspect which has made him believe that Christmas sales have been a substantial improvement on last year.

'Figures from TNS are not due for another week, but in the run up to Christmas there was evidence that supermarkets were really putting their weight behind English fruit,' he added.

Barlow highlighted Waitrose for an outstanding proportionate performance, alongside Sainsbury, Tesco and Marks & Spencer. The industry appears to have done a very reasonable job by achieving 12 percent of shelf space. There is evidence to show we could have sold a great deal more if we had more fruit,' he added.

In the four weeks up until December 8 total apple sales were 5.3 percent up on volume with an increase of 16 percent in expenditure.

In comparison, Cox was up 16.3 percent in volume and 3.8 percent in expenditure.

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