If anyone needs a reminder of the fresh produce price war taking place, Tesco left its customers in no doubt at my local branch by promoting cut-price oranges on a banner at the entrance to the car park. Priced at 50p for a net of five, the Class I fruit on special offer is Valencia Late from Egypt. As every importer knows, the ticket can be shaved closer based on the count size. The oranges concerned were 62-67mm.

While dwelling on price, Aldi continues to trumpet its economy purchases through its Super Six range, with six fruit at 69p, backed with a message on its weekly offer claiming “Britain’s lowest prices”.

Mixed berry fruit packs have now become commonplace, but it’s the contents that I find interesting. Sainsbury’s mixed berries at £3 for 300g are a case in point. While the strawberries come from Spain and the blackberries from Guatemala, it’s the blueberries that caught my eye. They are sourced more unusually from Morocco.

I have always found the arrival of sub-branding somewhat confusing and staying within berry the sector, Marks & Spencer has introduced a trademarked strawberry category called Sunbliss - with the notation that only the very best varieties make it.

In this particular case, the 400g packs at two for £5 (£2.99 for one) come from Spain, although perhaps surprisingly, the variety itself is not named.

Among the first to introduce tree-ripening Cox apples as a premium line, M&S has now extended this idea to tomatoes, with the Piccolini cherry variety grown in the vast crystal palace nursery on Thanet, labelled as “ripened on the vine” and priced at £1.99 for 250g.

While Peru still takes pride of place, English asparagus is continuing to build in volume, reflecting how the industry has widened its season. M&S already has the purple variety on offer, grown by the Herefordshire-based Chinn family at two (100g) for £3.

Following the turmoil of where rhubarb is sourced, there are still signs that it is on the short side, which is reflected in the price. Tesco has stretched as far as Germany, with a 600g pack at £3.

And finally, full marks to Aldi for its UK onion pack. Hardly the most attractive commodity, its Class II polybag at 69p not only carries three health messages, but is biodegradable and a reminder of the crop’s versatility.

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