A dark cloud hangs over North Queensland mango growers who will lose multi-million dollar crops if the heavy rains continue

North Queensland mango growers fear for their multi-million dollar harvests as they grapple with torrential rains and muddy orchards.

Key points: Some growers Mango farmers fear losing this year's crop if heavy and persistent rains continue Heavy January rains in North Queensland are taking their toll Financial aid for flood-affected growers could be considered

The Atherton Tablelands - considered the fruit bowl of the north - have received hundreds of millimeters of rain since December, including daily showers for most days this week.

While the tropical north is famous for its rainy season - where rainfall is measured in meters - the mango-growing center in Mareeba district is considerably drier. A welcome sign boasts of '300 days of sunshine a year'.

The region has already received almost 400mm of rain this month, compared to the usual 200mm.

< figure class="HTQDr _8ohDw yvdCO IfoSG" role="group" data-print="inline-media" aria-labelledby="101868732" data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia:/ /imageproxy/101868732" >Constant downpours this summer some farmers are worried about their crops.( ABC Far North: Brendan Mounter)

Mango grower John Nucifora checks his fruit for rain damage. (ABC News: Brendan Mounter)

Local grower John Nucifora, owner of one of the largest mango farms in the north, was hoping to start harvesting tomorrow.

< p class="_39n3n">However, he said predicted daily falls of up to 100mm would see this delayed until Sunday, or early next week, to allow the fruit - and the farm - to recover. drying out.

"Our machinery is struggling to move from one end of the row to the other," he said.

"We ride in the mud and the fruits don't like wet weather."

The high humidity knocked the mangoes off the trees. (ABC Far North: Brendan Mounter)

Mr. Nucifora said he had yet to receive 60,000 trays of the fruit at the market, in an industry worth more than $50 million locally.