An apparent Brussels u-turn on the imposed prohibition of the use of pounds and ounces in produce labelling could have some interesting ramifications for this industry. But don’t start counting your pennies.

In most fresh produce categories, the fact that supermarket customers were forced to label products in kilograms earlier this decade has had a significant impact on margins.

When prices were converted from the per-pound to per-kilo bracket, there were few instances where retailers chose to move to the highest available next price-point. If the price per kilo fell in at £1.23, then the 99p option was always going to be preferred to £1.49 in this price-obsessed sector.

It also seems to have become easier to shift through the gears from £1.99 to £1.49 and then 99p when promotional mode kicks in. This has considerable financial implications for grower and supplier returns, but is of benefit for the retailer and consumer. Coincidence? Not likely - more like manipulation of circumstance.

If dual labelling were to make a comeback, the reverse could happen, of course - and some value could be added back into the market. It won’t though. A reversion to dual labelling would be too convenient a way to redress imbalance in a supply chain that is largely bereft of activities of dual financial benefit.