To further put pressure on the Victorian fruit supply chain, growers are having to navigate other impacts of the pandemic, including a lack of pallets, containers, transportation and cancelled or reduced orders.
With the Harvest Trail season starting in November with cherries and set to finish around May with apples, fruit growers are focusing mainly on finding pickers and packers to be able to get the fruit off the trees and into cold storage ready for supply to avoid missing the harvest completely.
Although the federal government has decided to incentivise the return of around 150,000 international students and more than 23,000 backpackers by refunding visa application fees as part of a $55 million package, Fruit Growers Victoria said this does not assist with the need for workers this season, as working holiday visa holders usually do not start farm work until towards the end of their first year.
Therefore, Victorians and interstate Australians are being called on to take up the work and ensure that the fruit makes it to our shops and markets and that fruit growers’ livelihoods do not rot on the trees.
Growers services manager at Fruit Growers Victoria, Michael Crisera, said around 20 per cent of produce was lost last year simply because it was not harvested.
“The last two years have been tough on everyone, but the Victorian fruit industry only has one season per year and the worker shortage is far worse than last year and growers know the whole season is at risk,” he added.
“The start of the season has already been difficult with the colder and wetter weather than usual and the repercussions of not having enough workers will not only impact the farmers themselves but the consumer.
“The consequences will be significant wastage, lack of income for the growers and lack of stock at the shops.”
Last year, some 1500 seasonal farm workers arrived in Victoria from the Pacific Islands to strengthen the state’s agricultural workforce under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, but for many growers it was a “belated response” from the government.
Packing manager at Pomona Valley, Peter Hall, stressed the uncertainty that the pandemic has caused and the lack of support from the state government.
“The state government was too slow in responding and that was a real problem for us,” he said.
“I don’t think the Victorian government really understood the issue until quite late and they were relying on local people to fill the gaps, which wasn’t possible.
“We’re really excited about the arrival of international students and backpackers; we’re a very eclectic bunch of people from all over the world.”
In the meantime, Crisera urged Victorians to roll up their sleeves and lend a helping hand.
“Our fruit growers have plenty of positions available and we encourage anyone to give it a go,” he said.
“While the work isn’t for everyone, we’ve found that those that enjoy the outdoor work in the state’s regions love it.
“Last season, we had people both young and old come and try a fruit harvesting job.
“Some came on a short term basis, and some stayed the whole season.
“Fruit harvesting is great for school leavers, grey nomads and those looking for work throughout the summer.”
Most of the Victorian fruit harvesting work is in the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley areas and those who relocate to take up the agricultural positions for a minimum of four weeks can apply for the federal government assistance package AgMove.
Available until the end of June 2022, AgMove provides up to $6000 to Australian job seekers and up to $2000 for international job seekers.
While Harvest Trail applicants do not need experience, they need to be physically fit and healthy, have a positive attitude and be double vaccinated.
Workers are usually paid on a piecework rate (volume of fruit picked), so the harder they work the more money they make, though some orchards may offer an hourly award rate paid weekly or fortnightly.
Those applying are encouraged to discuss pay rates with the employer prior to commencing work.
Fruit Growers Victoria supplies its members with a minimum piecework rate and all growers are bound by the Horticulture Award 2021.
The average competent picker will earn at least 15 per cent more on a piecework rate than on the hourly award rate.
For more information, visit the website.
