Improved weather and the joy of the Olympics must have been good news for English soft-fruit growers, with the crop still in full flow if the packed shelves are any judge.

Waitrose has a “New Extra Freshness” sticker on its strawberry punnet to identify the strip inside, which its press office confirms has just gone on trial. This makes it the latest retailer to take on board the ethylene absorber marketed by Its Fresh!

The fruit is priced at £2 for 400g and is also on special offer at two for £3.50, the variety being Surrey-grown Sweet Eve.

One of the bargains of the week must be at Tesco, which has introduced a £5 stonefruit selection in a pegged cardboard carton sourced from Germany and Portugal.

The pack features 250g of Staccato dark cherries, as well as six Fortune red plums, eight Golden Globe plums and 12 Rainha Claudia greengages.

Staying with stonefruit, yet another Israeli hybrid has arrived at Morrisons at two for £3, namely the Plumigranate. It is described as having tanginess as well as being sweet.

There is also a new seedless white grape coming forward from Spain at M&S, trademarked Tutti Frutti at £1.50 for 230g.

Increased reference to UK regions is also evident, and while Hampshire is regarded as the birthplace of watercress, Tesco is using the old term Wessex to differentiate, with an 85g polybag at £1. It also has introduced a new line in broccoli crowns under the Supersweet brand at £1.50 each.

Summer is also the peak period for salads, and the living product continues to widen. Following on from watercress and herbs, Sainsbury’s has rocket and frilly mustard leaves - better known as wasabi - both at £1 or two for £1.50. -

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