As uncertainty around COVID-19 and Australia’s isolation measures continues, there is no doubt that the country’s economy and businesses have been impacted in an unprecedented manner. Indeed, the agriculture and horticulture sectors are no different, however the most pressing concern for these sectors is the supply of seasonal workers.

As Australia moves into its critical few months of peak harvest season, questions are being raised regarding how the industry will manage to complete the work. This is because while most horticulture business owners and permanent workers are Australian, a vast proportion of the farming workforce is made up of seasonal workers, which sees backpackers and travellers from all over the world employed to assist with the harvesting of Australian crops. In fact, more than one-third of peak seasonal jobs on horticultural farms are filled by overseas workers, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

However, in the wake of COVID-19 and bans of overseas travel, there are big gaps in the country’s workforce to assist. Even travel limitations between Australian states adds yet another level of complexity that will make a necessarily mobile and seasonal workforce more problematic.

Crops may be left to rot

The fruit and vegetable industry has warned that crops may be left to rot in fields because of this major labour shortage of foreign workers, as well as the closure of hotels and hostels that would accommodate them during their stay.

Peak industry body in Queensland, Growcom, has said that the lack of backpackers allowed into the country to perform agricultural work could damage the supply of winter fruit and vegetables in the coming months.

Citrus grower Judy Shepherd, who farms at Gayndah, three-and-a-half hours north-west of Brisbane, told the ABC that without appropriate numbers of backpackers on working holidays, some fruit and vegetables might not be picked.

“There’s always a concern that getting enough staff at the right time in a harvest is difficult; this year it’s even more difficult because of the new restrictions around travel,” she said.

Fresh produce in demand

While the nation has seen shortfalls of products such as toilet paper, pasta and flour, that of fruit and vegetables has gone relatively unnoticed due to their perishable nature that makes them difficult to stockpile. However the COVID-19 situation has seen a greater demand for fruit and vegetables as the wider population begin to take more of an interest in eating a healthier diet to protect themselves from infection.

While this is good news for the farmers and suppliers, this increase in demand means there is an even workforce gap once filled by seasonal workers.

Changes to meet growing demands

Recently, the Australian Government temporarily relaxed visa arrangements for Pacific workers under the Seasonal Worker Program and the Pacific Labour Scheme. Those employed through this scheme will now be able to continue working in Australia for up to 12 months in the agriculture sector, until the coronavirus crisis has passed.

This will help to relieve some of the stress placed on farmers and food producers during peak harvest time, giving them access to more workers. However despite these measures, growers are still concerned this won’t be enough to avoid crops rotting.

Harvest Trail opportunities for Australians

Many industries have been hit incredibly hard during this pandemic, seeing many employees laid off and employers forced to shut their businesses. Tourism, hospitality and retail have all been hit particularly hard, seeing an immediate effect on employment options, particularly casual work. Unemployment overall is predicted to increase significantly, with many full-time and permanent employees already retrenched or had hours cut.

Though worrying for those who have found themselves without work during this time, the shortfall in the agricultural workforce could provide them with a solution. For Australians who are happy to make the move to the country for a period of time, there is plenty of harvest work available.

In turn, this new pool of experienced, reliable Australians that can fill these positions will solve the problem for agricultural employers suffering from the backpacker shortfall.

GrainGrowers president and cropper, Brett Hosking told AAP that growers would be happy to welcome Australian workers from other industries, including the hospitality, retail, transport and manufacturing industries, which have been some of the hardest hit.

“If they’re keen to learn, keen to get involved in agriculture, grains offer a lot of opportunities and growers would be happy to train them up,” Mr Hosking said.

He said with harvest upon us, labour shortages due to travel restrictions was a topic of conversation in the industry, given growers strong reliance on backpacker labour forces, so the more jobs that could be filled, the better.

Find skilled workers through Harvest Labour Services

To assist employers with the labour shortfall, CozWine is introducing its Harvest Labour Services to the Hunter and Central West region of NSW, stretching from West Wyalong in the South West to Maitland in the North East, including the Hunter Valley, South Western Slopes and part of the Riverina.

CozWine, a regional recruiter specialising in wine, food and agriculture, has been contracted by the Australian Government to deliver free services for farmers and agricultural employers as part of their Harvest Trail program.

If you are an employer needing harvest workers and require further information, register your interest here.