Retail shelves reflect how busy category managers and buyers have been plugging the gap caused by the freezing weather in Spain, writes David Shapley.

It may be my imagination, but tomatoes seem to have been given most attention judging by the sources appearing. Tesco for example was showing some substantial displays of 250g punnets of organic cherry tomatoes from Gaza at £1.23; while in the conventional range Tunisian cherry-on-the-vine put in an appearance with the same weight priced at a more modest 79p.

Salads generally seem to have been affected and the multiples have been quick to turn to the US. In the same store there was US Romaine lettuce at 119p.

The trans-Atlantic source was also an attraction for Marks & Spencer, which has been offering really big globe artichokes reminiscent of those from Brittany at £1.49 each. However, nearer home Jersey seems has been able to withstand the climate supplying 200g packs of Golden Broccoli at £1.99.

More humble vegetables are also continuing to get a facelift.

Since retailers discovered there was a whole new added value world with the baking potato, there have been numerous variations. Morrisons has gone even further with a mini jacket potato - although I failed to discover the origin - which has garlic butter already inserted into it. The price of convenience was £1.39 for 435g.

Not to be outdone, Sainsbury’s has discovered a sweet Italian onion in its Taste the Difference range called Borretane (£1.49 for 300g). The shape of the flattened bulbs reminded me of the crop grown in Lanzarote that was such a hit on the UK market in the 1970s at this time of year.

On the fruit side, citrus too has been involved in a shake-up, despite reports that damage on the Iberian peninsula is very localised.

The days are past however when easy-peelers are hard to find elsewhere. Peru - not that long ago an unknown source - has won a place in retailers’ hearts with M&S offering 700g nets of new season Okitsu for £1.99.

Perhaps one of my more unusual finds however was in Tesco, which has tracked down a highly coloured Italian clementine type called Ciaculli at £1.29 for 500g.

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