It’s certainly going down on record as an elongated summer, and I must assume not just in the UK. Sweetcorn harvesting is usually well past by now, and while there are signs of cobs from as far afield as Spain and Israel on the shelves, I note that Marks & Spencer is still sourcing from the Netherlands.

It would be interesting to know what level of sales are being enjoyed by winter roots and stew packs - not as high as usual I would guess, although in the same store mini-round carrots were making an appearance at £1.29 for 275g.

With the UK’s carrot conference taking place later this month it will be equally interesting to hear whether those coloured varieties and carrot wheels, which have sold so well in the US, have begun to make any headway on this side of the Pond.

Green veg is a different case of course and the range of mixed packs and semi-prepared products appears to be endless. One of the latest to surface is in Tesco, with a 200g asparagus and fine bean pack at £1.19, on the basis of 28 per cent and 72 per cent respectively. Because of the dual sourcing from Peru and Kenya, one must assume that this product is assembled in the UK.

Something which caught my eye in Asda was the arrival of a new pack of Tenderstem broccoli, which had been grown in Morocco, in the retailer’s Extra Special range priced at £1.58 for 200g Exclusive deals obviously do not last for ever.

Meanwhile there are continuing signs that growers are becoming the stars of the show when it comes to shelf barkers. Their pictures are now commonplace as well as their names on-pack, which is a far cry from when their relationship with particular multiples was seen as a closely guarded - but in trade terms - open secret.

One quirk, however, is evident for the sharp-eyed consumer on Tesco’s Fairtrade South African Valencia citrus. While there is a photo of someone, the small print points out that it may not actually be the relevant grower for that particular pack!

Meanwhile, Budgens now seems to have pushed the barriers even further and is using its relationship with suppliers to press home a guarantee on the bag. English polybagged Gala, for example, at £1.75, carries an assurance from Julian White of IVG White: “I promise that every case of apples we supply is inspected before it leaves us”.

And even if the English season is in full swing, those Granny Smith ads from Tesco are still popping up, while in Asda, French Honeycrunch reflects that more and more imported varieties are becoming competitive in our domestic season.

Winter citrus is being given more shelf space, although I wonder how many customers actually appreciate the difference between a Marisol and an Oronule. I have always believed the easy-peeler offer is somewhat of a minefield because of the numerous varieties.

And at present, supply is not just the prerogative of the Mediterranean. M&S is stocking Ellendales from Australia, and Asda is pushing Chilean navels.

Topics