There can be little doubting the UK retailers' commitment to UK produce at the moment.

The English apple industry is set to get a massive injection of in-store energy in the next couple of months and, with a crop to live up to high expectations, the fact that much of the activity will not be price-oriented is a god-send.

The industry has to take full advantage of this backing. It is not a given. And although the retailers are doubling it up as a public relations exercise, there are signs that the commercial value of backing home-grown produce is becoming clearer as the industry moves into the 21st century.

It was interesting to hear the comments of a Frenchman in last week's Journal, who believed that the high standards of production in the UK could push this country forward as an exporter, as well as a more consistent source of competition in the domestic market.

The argument has always been that the volume is not there to make exporting viable. But volume is not everything, and the infrastructure has certainly improved to a level that makes the UK an extremely viable source, if the price is right.

The export option, of course, would give UK producers that little bit of added bargaining power in their own marketplace. It might not be needed this year, or next, but will come in handy in the future.