There’s no doubt spring has turned into summer, even if the calendar does not agree. Berries are in profusion and English asparagus is in full swing.

There was a time when the grade that is known in the trade as spru was considered unsellable, but now it is part of the range. Sainsbury’s makes the point by telling customers that it is tender, in case there are any doubts.

And of course, there are Jersey Royal potatoes aplenty. Marks & Spencer, however, is already displaying mini Cornish Maris Piper at £1.99 for 500g with the news that this crop is grown on what its describes as the “golden mile” overlooking St Michael’s Mount. Planted in January, it adds that their arrival is “earlier than everyone else”.

It’s also the time of the year when citrus growers have always maintained that they face the most competition. One way that Tesco is trying to attract customers is by offering another 2.3kg carry-home bulk carton, this time boldly labelled as tangerines at £3. The variety, grown in Spain, is actually an ortanique originally discovered in Jamaica but that found its way to the Iberian peninsula, among other places, in the 1990s.

More and more mangoes are arriving and M&S has a twin-pack Supersweet variety in its Limited Edition range at £3.99. Described as “vibrant”, the source is Peru and the variety is called Edward.

The southern hemisphere apple season is well underway, with Morrisons having won exclusivity for one of New Zealand’s latest offers - a bicoloured variety called Smitten - sold loose at £2.49/kg. The description of the taste could apply to many of the recent winners. “Sweet, juicy, bursting with flavour and a crisp, crunchy flavour,” it reads.

There was a time when mission statements were secret and confined to the activities of our armed forces but today, every self-respecting company seems to have one hanging on the office wall.

Waitrose even has its thoughts highlighted in the store, defining what most growers and importers as well as the public hope are the golden rules applicable to all retailers. For the record, the premium retailer promises to champion British produce, tread lightly on environmental issues, source responsibly, treat people fairly, build long-term relationships and help people live healthily. Amen to that.

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