Worker Shortages

Worker Shortages. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Tree fruit growers have been scrambling the last few days to get as much fruit picked as possible before the cold weather moved in. Weather reports are saying we should have freezing temperatures most of this week but it has been difficult for producers to get their fruit picked in a timely manner as there are shortages in pickers available this year. Lacy Gray has more.

GRAY: A lot of growers have been evaluating how much fruit they have left to pick as the weather turned cold Monday night. Growers were looking at plans to pick the varieties that would being in the best prices. Dan Newhouse, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, met with representatives of the tree fruit industry to discuss a widespread shortage of pickers. Fruit growers are working hard to attract and retain work crews to harvest fruit in a timely manner. One consistent factor is the wage rate producers are paying for harvest work that is higher than in previous years. It remains crucial for producers to report job openings to their local WorkSource office.

The Employment Security Department continues to collect data to assist them in addressing and documenting the current labor shortage.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.