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One year on from the federal government’s Jobs and Skills Summit, the crippling workforce shortages facing Australian vegetable growers have only worsened according to AUSVEG.
AUSVEG also says many growers are now reconsidering their future as vegetable producers.
An alarming sentiment survey conducted by the vegetable peak industry body has revealed record-low morale among Australian vegetable growers, with labour shortages, workforce policy and legislative changes, increased compliance and rising operational costs all major factors forcing growers to contemplate their commercial viability.
Appearing at the Senate Inquiry on Food Security in early August, AUSVEG highlighted how increasing costs of production, tightening margins and chronic labour shortages were making vegetable growers question their future in the sector, with more than 30 per cent of Australian vegetable growers now considering leaving the industry within the next 12 months.
The survey also highlighted that:
· 72 per cent are currently experiencing workforce shortages
· 45 per cent rate their future viability with current workforce shortages as ‘poor to very poor’.
AUSVEG chief executive Michael Coote said the issues it raised in Canberra around workforce availability had still not been addressed and were expected to deteriorate due to Labor’s recent policy changes that would narrow workforce options.
Mr Coote said the dire survey results were not overly surprising, given the significant challenges growers had faced in recent years.
“The toll is showing on vegetable growers, and if even close to 30 per cent 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.”
