Presentation still seems to hold sway in an industry where there are occasional flourishes to save packaging. Mixed overwrapped trays or nets of lemons and limes are not new, but Asda is now using tubes, a concept that started out with baby tomatoes for kids, and then at one point were fashionable with stonefruit. Its citrus pack for four, priced at £1.30, contains Spanish Primofiori and Tahiti lines from Brazil.

In a similar vein Tesco’s Mayan Gold potatoes are not new, but instead of polybags and Kraft outers it has gone a step further with a brightly illustrated carry-home carton at £2.50 for 2kg.

Certainly the category continues to expand, as also on offer are varieties such as Lincs-grown Bluebelle and Elfe from Suffolk, both on the same ticket at £1.50 for 1.5kg.

Another trend seems to be building momentum. The days before seedless soft citrus and grapes is long past, and now Marks & Spencer has come up with an exclusive seedless pepper, trade marked Angello, which it claims to be a world first. Shelf barkers are also encouraging shoppers to buy, maintaining that “its sweet delicious flavour can now be enjoyed in half the time!”.

Another message in store reflecting how technology is breaking down seasonal barriers is the message that its relationship with the Chinn family has brought a second season of Wye Valley asparagus - a far cry from when picking stopped in mid summer.

Meanwhile it seems that the rest of the world continues to push hard to make sure that there is year-round availability. Sainsbury’s is sourcing sweetcorn from Senegal with twin packs of supersweets at £2. There is also a new description appearing on stir fry, with M&S offering an aromatic selection at £2.49 for 240g, freshly prepared by hand. -

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