An alleged avocado thief has been arrested after hidden cameras allegedly caught him making off with four tonnes of the popular toast-topper from orchards in southeast Queensland.

The 41-year-old raided two properties near Brisbane and stole about $20,000 worth of the fruit during the past two winter picking seasons, police said on Friday.

Hidden surveillance cameras are alleged too have captured footage of a van arriving late at night at the properties and the trees being stripped.

He has been charged with a total of 18 offences including six counts of stealing, six counts of receiving stolen property and six counts of fraud.

“These four tonnes of avocados represent income for these two farms and as a result they have suffered significant losses,” Detective Sergeant Mark Ferling  told the local News-Mail.

“Our farmers need as much support as possible at this time and theft like this is just intolerable.”

The Blackbutt man has been charged with six counts each of stealing, receiving stolen property and fraud, and is due to appear in Nanango Magistrates Court on September 20.

-with AAP