In June 2020 Tyfu Cymru conducted a survey to better understand the current labour demands of commercial Welsh horticulture operations and to see if and how Covid-19 has impacted the labour requirements of these businesses.
To view the report please click here
Summary of findings
- 49% of Welsh edible growers have sourced seasonal labour in 2020
- The most popular source of seasonal labour is ‘UK labour’ at 19 businesses (37%). The least popular source at 2 businesses is paid interns/new entrants (4%)
- 3 businesses (6% ) hired non-UK seasonal labour
- 13% of businesses have experienced Covid-19 related staff absence
- A third (33%) of businesses have experienced cost increases in 2020 as a result of Covid-19
- The primary reasons for the increase in costs include:
- PPE costs
- Additional labour to cover staff absence
- Change in selling strategy
- Scaling up costs due to increase in demand - Increased supplier prices
- No issues with sourcing labour as a result of Covid-19 were identified
- 1 in 4 businesses (24%) were aware of the Lantra Skills Matching Service