The 'autumn fruit' persimmons are more in demand than ever as harvest is underway in Victoria

Frank Primerano from Buffalo Creek Orchards started growing persimmons after tobacco farming in the area shut down. (ABC Rural: Annie Brown )

As the air turns crisp and the sky turns grey, the persimmon orchards around Victoria's north-east start to pop with vibrant orange trees. 

They are an unusual autumn fruit, with a shape akin to a tomato and the flesh and taste more like an apricot or a pear.