Farm Labor Remains a Huge Challenge For Produce Growers
July 9, 2024 “Labor shortage/cost” ranks as the third-biggest threat to profits by growers taking our 2024 State of the Fruit and Nut Industry Survey. It is interesting to see, as labor has usually ranked No.1 through the years, much less third. The issue fell not because it became less of a problem but because input costs have soared, as has the strange weather of late that many attribute to climate change.
Here are how some of the growers frame the challenges they face:
“An increase in H-2A labor rate is unsustainable.” (Wisconsin apple grower)
“Washington state is pricing us out of profitability with labor costs.” (Washington state tree fruit grower)
“Labor is without question the greatest challenge we face.” (Tennessee berry grower)
“The total costs of labor both domestic and H-2A. New York has mandatory days of rest, overtime, unions, paid family leave, paid sick pay.” (New York state tree fruit grower)
“Harvest labor can be hard to find.” (California olive grower)
“Escalating minimum wage dictates we pay teenagers as if they were experts and most diligent. Plus, it drives the adverse effect wage under H-2A up well ahead of inflation as a rule, although inflation has been worse lately.” (New York state tree fruit grower)
“Higher labor costs are killing me, especially with apples. Higher labor costs have also increased packing costs.” (California tree fruit grower)
“Labor cost is a bigger concern than all others combined.” (Michigan apple grower)
“Labor is a major concern now and in the future. How much is it going up? H-2A is always raising wages.” (Florida citrus grower)
LAZY AMERICANS
“Without labor we cannot harvest the crop. Having an influx of immigrants does not affect U.S. citizens’ jobs. U.S. citizens have to have some drive to want to work. But they will not work in the field of agriculture, harvesting fruits and vegetables. Agriculture is the backbone of the U.S. economy and our food supply.” (California strawberry grower)
“Labor might be the end of our six-generation farm.” (Michigan tree fruit grower)
“New overtime laws in Washington and high AWER (Adverse Effect Wage Rate) is killing us.” (Washington tree fruit grower)
“It all starts with the Labor. No labor, no fruit. And this is in our control.” (California berry grower)
“Labor is far and away the biggest threat. Not just the cost but the lack of availability. Weather may impact a season but is not a consistent problem like labor.” (Washington blueberry grower)
“Labor, labor, labor. H-2A cost is out of control with no valid reason for it.” (Michigan tree fruit grower)
“Our country wants a cheap food supply but not a cheap labor supply. These two are incompatible.” (Michigan pome fruit grower)
“NY’s escalating minimum wage is putting us all on an accelerating treadmill. It raises average wages, so the adverse effect wage for H-2A employees accelerates also. I have had to forgive any raise for the last 14 years to cover wage increases for everyone else. Soon I’ll be making minimum wage, too.” (New York state tree fruit grower)
“Labor is our No. 1 concern. It is currently 43% of our total costs and rising. The state and federal government are making labor more difficult every year. Overtime, minimum wage, AWER, unionization, and excessive regulation all make hiring labor more difficult every year.” (New York state tree fruit grower)
“Labor regulations and wage pressure are killing us.” (Oregon sweet cherry grower)
“Labor costs are putting people out of business.” (Michigan tree fruit grower)
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