Some 17,000 tonnes of potatoes have already been sold in the UK since late November, with programmes being closely followed and customers receiving required volume.

Weather conditions in Israel have been excellent for production of late winter Nicola, available as loose-skinned, but these will soon be joined by set-skin Nicola arriving washed ready for packing in 10kg boxes, pre-packed bags and in trade punnets.

Product manager Yaniv Yablonka said he was aware that the next three to four weeks will be tough as imports from mainland Spain, Majorca and Portugal start to come in, but is confident that customers will continue to buy from Agrexco for another month. April to May will see the main crop varieties: set-skin Nicola until early May, salad varieties Exquisa and Ditta have already arrived and will continue also until early May. Demand is said to be strong for pre-packed reds in May and June.

Capsicum will have an early finish this season, with availability continuing for only another two weeks.

Although down on predicted volume, the results in the UK have been better than in the rest of Europe.

Product manager Yaron Yarchie said: 'We have actually equalled last year's figures of 5,000 to 5,500 tonnes – and have been happy with the quality.' Ramiro, mainly grown in greenhouses, will still be available in April, despite shortages in March.

Meanwhile, tomato product manager Steve Hopkins, is delighted with the results as volumes of tomatoes on the vine have far exceeded those originally estimated.

He said: 'We have worked hard this season to support our customers through shortages created by problems experienced elsewhere. This has paid dividends, as on the back of this, we are planning bigger programmes for next year.' It has been an unstable season for avocado with an economic slowdown following the September 11 attacks affecting demand. The weather and other factors have also taken their toll.

The total export volume from Israel is 45,000 tonnes, an increase of 19 per cent on last year, out of which Agrexco exported 32,000 tonnes.

Galia melons, meanwhile, have returned to sea-freighting from air – as quality has improved since the start of the season sufficiently to withstand the sea voyage.

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