Backpacker worker shortage putting strain on crop harvesting, growers’ group says

A shortage of backpacker workers across three states is the worst ever seen by fruit growers and it is threatening the harvesting of crops.

The number of working holiday visas to Australia has dropped by 34,000 in two years, according to growers.

They say it is threatening harvesting because Australians do not want picking jobs.

Reasons for that include heat, according to the chairwoman of the growers’ group Citrus Australia, Tania Chapman.

“The hard reality is locals don’t want to go out there, they don’t want to pick oranges,” Ms Chapman said. Read More…

Backpacker worker shortage putting strain on crop harvesting, growers’ group says