Bumper apple and pear seasons occurring in the Hawke’s Bay – and no workers to fill fruit-picking positions – has seen the Ministry of Social Development declare a seasonal labour shortage in the region. This means overseas visitors who already hold visitor permits can now gain permits for working on orchards and vineyards to fill the gap.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc CEO Nikki Johnson says here in the Bay of Plenty many employers in the kiwifruit industry are currently looking for workers to fill roles in the orchards and the packhouses “but until we get into harvest fully we won’t understand the extent of the shortage”.

With 2018 forecasted to be a good harvest – with volumes for this season expected to be higher than last year – “it is expected similar levels of labour will be required for this year’s harvest,” says Nikki.

“Figures from 2016 show that around 60 per cent of the kiwifruit industry’s seasonal workers are New Zealanders with around 10 per cent backpackers, 15 per cent Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers and 15 per cent international students.

“However, we anticipate that there are significantly less international students available for work this year and that will mean a greater reliance on backpackers and New Zealanders.

“Other regions have experienced a shortage of backpackers – and if the Bay of Plenty experiences the same issue, it will enhance the labour shortage,” says Nikki.

As a result, the kiwifruit industry is watching the Hawke’s Bay situation closely. “Given the issues in the Hawke’s Bay, labour is also top of mind for the kiwifruit industry at this time,” says Nikki.

The kiwifruit industry utilises about 9600 seasonal workers and the majority of these are utilised during harvest.

A 2017 report on the economic contribution of kiwifruit industry expansion to the Bay of Plenty, Northland and New Zealand economies by the University of Waikato found the direct impact from kiwifruit growing – as well as the flow-ons from industrial and retail sectors – amounted to a revenue for the Bay of Plenty region of $1,808.8 billion in 2015/2016 year.

“We expect that due to the expected increase in volumes this season that this revenue will increase slightly,” says Nikki.

“The crop this year is expected to be a small increase from last year, particularly in relation to Sungold as new planting matures. 

“[But] the industry is expected to grow significantly in the next 10 years reflecting the plantings of Sungold that have taken place during the last two years and the intention for 700 hectares of licence to be released this year – and ongoing for the next five years.”