Growers in the Australian region of Goulburn are being forced out of the industry by extreme drought conditions.
According to John Wilson from Fruit Growers Victoria, 20 orchardists have abandoned their farms in recent times, including 16 in the past 12 months.
Despite the lack of water and some frost damage, however, the region expects a better fruit crop this season than last, with volume and quality holding up.
"The low water allocations will be a problem and that will certainly impinge on growers' ability to bring the fruit to market," Wilson told ABC.
"However, at this stage, and it's an early stage, provided they can get the water, the crop will be good."
