A Department of Agriculture analysis of seasonal labour supply and demand over 12 months from August last year identified the Wide Bay as a “pinch point” in labour availability.
In Gympie, avocado farmer Kate Groves is expecting to start her harvest at the middle to end of February and will be relying on part-time staff and family this year.
“While there is a shortage of pickers I personally think I will be ok for harvest labour,” she said. “Avocado don’t ripen until you pick them, to a point, much better than most other crops that have to picked when they are ready. I have a bit more time than a tomato grower, for example.