As the apricot season winds up for another year, Goulburn Valley producers say this year's crop has failed to measure up to previous seasons.
Ardmona orchardist Todd Hall said he was surprised by the thin spread of fruit this year.
``It has been a little bit lighter this season, the crop has probably been a bit down on what we would expect,'' Mr Hall said.
``The thing that probably caught us by surprise is how fast they've matured and ripened this season.''
Mr Hall said he suspected the weather played a role in reducing this year's crop.
``I would say the heat we had in November probably had a lot to do with it,'' he said.
``There will always be things you can't do anything about like continued drought, hail and storms, but you just have to hope for the best.''
MJ Hall and Sons foreman Greg Fraser said there appeared to be a pattern with apricots that might explain the diminished harvest.
``Apricots can sometimes be a bit bi-annual,'' he said.
``Sometimes the good seasons can skip a year.''
As foreman, Mr Fraser co-ordinates the efforts of fruit pickers to achieve the most efficient result for the orchard.
One of those pickers, Adelaide's Thon Mavior, said fewer apricots on the trees meant fewer opportunities for harvest labourers.
``It's a bit quiet now but it will get better by about late January,'' he said.
``I'll hopefully be here for the whole season.''
Fellow worker Peter Anyang from Melbourne said he also planned to stay for the entire season.
``I'll be here until about June,'' he said.
Goulburn Valley harvest labour co-ordinator Mike Kiss said he expected labour numbers to pick up after the traditionally slow festive season.
Mr Kiss said the busiest part of the fruit season was only weeks away, with peaches, plums, nectarines, pears and apples still to come.
``In mid-January things will start to get going, but February and March are our busiest months.''
To apply for harvest labour work in the Goulburn Valley, phone the harvest labour office at CVGT Shepparton on 5823 3400. jordan.oliver@sheppnews.com.au