Export volumes of Florida grapefruit to the UK are currently 5% up on last year after the crop matured early.

Overall, however, volumes were expected to be down from 12,000 to 11,500 tonnes this year because the crop was not as big as last year’s, according to the Florida Department of Citrus.

Skin had suffered some wind scarring this season, but fruits were bigger than last year and had a good brix measure and sweet-to-acid ratio, a department spokesman said.