That price jumped from the normal $20/tray for the Shepard variety of avocados, due to shortages in the Western Australian crop because of adverse seasonal conditions.

Although the high prices have since wavered, with trays currently selling around $25 for quality avocados, one Mareeba grower, Etienne Theart, got the exceptional returns when his crop matured at just the right time.

Mr Theart's season started strong with an early flowering, but was followed by a smaller than usual crop.

The past two seasons have seen severe water-logging bring on disease in many avocado plantations on the Atherton Tableland.

Mr Theart has lost 1000 trees in the past two seasons, during which 1.5 metres of water surged through the plantations each year.

Profits from the high returns will go towards replanting lost avocado trees on Mr Theart's farm. With only 381mm falling over this year's season, he remains somewhat reassured.

"It has been a nice change to see a smaller amount of rainfall," he said.

Mr Theart said many farmers were stuck with a lot of small fruit this year because of returns for less than optimum-sized avocados.

The Shepard variety of avocado is finishing up its season, which will be followed by large production lines of the Hass avocado, with those to wrap up in April/May.

Alan Poggioli's harvest at Kairi is about to start next month when 3500 Hass avocado trees will be ready for picking.

He said his season has been "pretty good" and that the only factor working against him is the declining price.

While he has not yet started harvesting, his packing shed has been fully utilised with the packing of Shepard avocados for a nearby farmer.