Perfect weather conditions, with no hail, bats or birds threatening the crop, have been a blessing for hard-working orchardists.

“The rain we had a few weeks ago was good timing,” Mr Rossetto said.

Backpackers from Finland, France and Germany have arrived at the orchard to work alongside locals to bring in the crop.

“It will be non-stop now until Christmas,” Mr Rossetto said.

“It’s a short but very sweet few weeks of picking one of the most beautiful fruits to grace the table during the holiday season.”

Among the varieties bunching thick on the trees at the Rossettos’  orchard are chelan, sylvia, samba, lapin, simone and sweetheart.

Mr Rossetto said he had spoken with other growers who said they would share in the good crops if they could keep up the water until harvest was complete.

Among the pickers working to get the crop off yesterday at the Rossetto orchard was Heini Hietala from Finland.

“I love it here in Australia and I will be able to stay for another year,” she said.

Mr Rossetto said the word was spreading that Orange needed pickers.

“A lot of people have come through word of mouth, turning up to say they had heard we are ready to pick,” he said.

“It’s also on some social media sites.”

With a good season predicted for growers, Orange can expect an influx of backpackers in the next few weeks keen to visit the area and earn some money while on working visas.

Mr Rossetto said the first cherry variety off this year would be destined for markets in Asia.

The picking season in Orange begins in November and, depending on conditions, can end anywhere between Christmas to mid-January.

“I expect we will have all ours off by Christmas,” Mr Rossetto said.

Cherries harvested in the Orange area this season will be split between the domestic and international market.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au