Asparagus, rhubarb, tomatoes, carrots and Swiss strawberries are starting to hit consumers’ plates, with farms largely able to recruit enough workers, despite the partial border closings caused by the spread of Coronavirus. However, the pandemic brings higher production costs.
For the moment, there are no major problems in recruiting seasonal workers abroad or in Switzerland.
Christian Schönbächler, From Fruit-Union Switzerland
Agriculture being a sector of systemic importance, it was able to continue to hire foreign collaborators, in spite of the concerns observed at the beginning of the introduction of the containment measures put in place by the various governments to fight against the spread of the Covid- 19.
In addition, many unemployed people in Switzerland have also been able to offer their services, in particular via platforms such as Coople and agrix.ch.
5,000 to 6,000 workers to collect strawberries
According to a study conducted in 2014, Swiss agriculture needs around 20,000 to 25,000 foreign seasonal workers each year. They mainly come from Poland, Portugal, Romania and France.
For the harvest of strawberries, the local fruit causing the most work, some 5000 to 6000 workers are necessary. For all the fruit produced in Switzerland, up to 10,000 people can be recruited, illustrates Mr. Schönbächler.
More complex recruitment
In a context marked by the closure of borders caused by the health crisis, hiring seasonal workers from abroad is however a little more complicated than usual. With a work contract and recently a residence permit, employees can enter Switzerland but farmers have to go and collect them at the border, the driver of the vehicle having transported these people having to stay on the other side of the border, says Markus Waber.
For work in the vineyards, the Agri Geneva association has brought 363 leaf strippers from Portugal, via four regular Swiss flights and a charter between May and July, according to the airline.
Rising costs
More expenses for staff recruitment and less abundant pick-up caused by the application of hygiene measures recommended by the Federal Office of Public Health lead to higher production costs, highlights the Fruit-Union Switzerland .
Price negotiations are underway and will be published on May 7.
Christian Schönbächler, From Fruit-Union Switzerland
The sector also hopes that the reopening of markets and restaurants on May 11 will bring a breath of fresh air for the sale of Swiss vegetables and fruit.
“Retailers normally buy 60% of the vegetables produced in Switzerland, the remaining 40% are intended for restaurants, markets, direct sales and for processing,” explains Mr. Waber. “Due to the closure of restaurants, farms have sold their vegetables directly to consumers, small stores or trading platforms,” he adds.
Despite the Covid-19 crisis, the harvest of fruits and vegetables looks good for the moment. It is however still too early for forecasts for the whole season. In 2019, around 450,000 tonnes of Swiss vegetables and 6,836 tonnes of strawberries were produced.
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