Apricot, plum, peach and nectarine growers are relieved that fruit prices have improved in recent weeks. In January, the grower group Summerfruit Australia accused supermarkets of paying well below the cost of production, and warned of industry collapse. Director Harry Sookias says 10-15 per cent of growers have pulled out their trees because of the drought and poor returns, but the supermarkets have agreed to consult more and prices have improved.

"They haven't explicitly agreed to raise the price, but we've noticed the prices have firmed about 50 cents from $1.40 to $1.80 or $1.90, which is still below our $2.20 cost of production, but at least it's closer to break-even", he says. "The supermarkets have also lowered their prices for consumers. "The growers are getting a bit more, but the consumers are also paying less".