There are now signs that the southern-hemisphere stone-fruit season is under way, although I am still critical of the condition of some of the peaches arriving, writes David Shapley.

Based on personal experience they are often rock hard, which can do little for future sales.

That said, I was intrigued to see that their cousins - nectarines - seem to gain more favour every year and are being sourced from Australia by Marks & Spencer. A four-pack of Rose Dawn is priced at £2.99.

It also seems as if recipes are all the rage. Sainsbury’s South African Supagold apricots - also in pre-packs of four at £1.99 - are carrying a collectable card. It poses the question how many will there be for avid cooks?

Further down the aisles, Dolmio was heavily stickered and recommended on 500g of Dutch mushrooms. It is not the first time I have seen this, but it is surprising that there seems to be no linkage on the pasta-sauce shelves.

Meanwhile, December is the time when citrus sales really get under way, and M&S is now identifying loose mandarins with its Best-of-Season logo, although there is not a variety name in site.

One the orange front most people identify Navelinas with Spain, but Tesco - somewhat unusually - is selling the organic variety from Italy at £1.29 for four.

There are also more and more signs that Christmas is coming. One good idea, also from Tesco, is a specially branded festive apple six-pack which is a mix of Cox and Egremont Russet at £1.49. I hope we see more of this concept in the future.

Turning to the world of vegetables, there are also some relative surprises, such as Sainsbury’s sourcing Scotch Bonnet chillies at £1.19 from the Windward Isles via St Lucia.

If my memory serves me right, 20 years ago that was one of the few crops that was not tried when the islands were trying to supplement their banana industry. How times have changed.

Perhaps more mundane is the humble carrot. Despite stories continuing to circulate about the desirability of multi-coloured, vitamin-enhanced varieties that already go great guns in the US, so far no-one has come up with a similar colour chart for parsnips.

At this time of the year, East Anglia and all points north of Nottingham would appear to be able to provide both in more than sufficient quantities.

But it seems there is still room at Sainsbury’s for 200g/230g pre-packs of young carrots complete with tops and parsnips from South Africa priced at £1.79. That is real added value.

I also caught a glimpse of New Zealand kumara, which looks more like a potato than a sweet potato, and might lead to confusion. It could be one reason why sold on the same counter the 750g packs at £2.49 were being discounted on a two-for-one basis.

Hope springs eternal however, and there are some attractive presentations of mini cauliflower in Tesco with a twin pack at £1.49 containing both white and purple varieties.

And finally it seems as if steaming is becoming the rage. With Florette due to launch its mixed veg containers and sauces in February as the our news pages reported recently, Sainsbury’s has a new, less sophisticated, steam-pack of fresh shelled peas and sliced beans under Taste the Difference at £1.99.

M&S now sells what it calls “perfect” asparagus using a new film on the tray which allows it to be put straight into the microwave.

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