A heatwave that hit the Renmark region of Australia through October and November has cut into the citrus crops of many of the area's growers.
One citrus grower, Norm Hood, told ABC News that most producers in Renmark have reported varying levels of damage to crops, with the industry expected to take a hit as a result.
According to Mr Hood, over 98 per cent of his Valencia and navel orange crop is on the ground, with the fruit's sunburnt stems no longer strong enough to hold the weight of the fruit.
'The biggest concern I think, not only for me but for the whole region, is the flow-on effect,' he explained, 'because if the volume of fruit is not going to be there it's got to have an effect on the packing houses, with our exports going overseas, and in turn it's got to affect all the pickers.
'My pickers had a look the other day and they basically said 'Norm, I don't think we'll be picking next year,'' he added.
