CHERRY growers have welcomed firm farmgate prices after dealing with poor fruit set and splitting following rain.
Victorian Cherry Association president Andrew Smith said "good clean fruit" was now coming off the state's orchards in the run-up to Christmas.
Alpine Valleys Summer Fruits Association president Carolyn Stiles, of Glenrowan, said regional yields had averaged 10-20kg a tree.
"For us it has been a good season, but the growers in the colder areas haven't had good fruit set," Mrs Stiles said.
Chiltern growers Bill and Lois Hotson estimate their crop is down 50 per cent this year.
Mr Hotson said the November heatwave had caused trees to shut down production, while rain had split fruit.
"With quantity down we haven't been able to supply as many supermarkets or attend farmers markets," Mr Hotson said.
