AUSVEG calls for action amid worsening labour shortages

A year on from the federal government’s Jobs and Skills Summit, crippling workforce shortages facing Australian vegetable growers have only worsened, with many growers reconsidering their future as vegetable producers.

A survey conducted by AUSVEG revealed a record-low morale among Australian vegetable growers, with labour shortages, workforce policy and legislative changes, increased compliance and rising operational costs major factors in forcing growers to contemplate commercial viability.

At the Senate Inquiry on Food Security in early August, AUSVEG highlighted how increasing costs of production, tightening margins and chronic labour shortages are making vegetable growers question their future in the sector, with over 30% of Australian vegetable growers now considering leaving the industry within the next 12 months.

The survey also highlighted that 72% are currently experiencing workforce shortages and 45% rate their future viability with current workforce shortages as “poor to very poor”.

The issues raised by AUSVEG in Canberra at the Jobs and Skills Summit have not been addressed and are expected to deteriorate further. Policies such as the Working Holiday Maker program, PALM Scheme and overseas student visas, which have allowed Australian farmers to fill critical labour shortages, have all undergone significant changes.

According to Michael Coote, AUSVEG CEO, the problem is only getting worse, not better, especially with natural disasters, volatile markets, biosecurity breaches and input cost increases coming into play.

“The toll is showing on vegetable growers, and if even close to 30% of them move away from vegetable production, frequent fresh produce shortages will become the new norm, and Australian families will bear the brunt with higher prices for their produce,” Coote said.

AUSVEG is calling on the federal government to work with the vegetable industry on workforce policy reforms that uphold the highest standards of worker welfare while meeting the needs of growers.

“The Australian vegetable sector is forecast to grow by at least an additional billion dollars in annual farm-gate value by 2030, but if we’re hamstrung by workforce availability that potential to grow the Australian economy will be lost,” Coote said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Julia_Sudnitskaya