317 jobs, 13 applicants: Labor shortage looms as mango picking season begins

There are growing concerns that some of this year's Northern Territory mango harvest may never make it to supermarkets across the country as the local economy comes under strain by widespread labor shortages.
Key points:
Industry group warns Top End mango growers are short of around 1,000 workers
Representatives will visit East Timor tomorrow to discuss the possibility of attracting more Timorese workers to the Top Fin
Between 10 and 20% of the harvest last year's mangoes would not have been picked
The Government of the Northern Territories is now looking abroad to help pick fruit in the upper part of the territory, which is the country's largest mango producer.
But with the annual fruit-picking season already in its infancy, industrial groups striels have warned the sector is still short of approximately 1,000 workers.
"We have vacancies currently advertised for 317 positions, for which we received 13 applicants this week last,” said Paul Burke of NT Farmers.
“That’s it, pickers, packers, forklift drivers; we're really short of truck drivers right now.
"That will mean longer hours and that means some fruit might not be picked - and that's a travesty."
Mr. Burke said about 10-20% of last year's yield was unpicked. media" aria-labelledby="101411078" data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia://imageproxy/101411078">NT Farmers managing director Paul Burke says labor shortages could mean mangoes won't be picked this (ABC News: Matt Roberts)The government says this year's harvest is likely to be even bigger, exceeding last year's trade by 300,000 to produce around 2.7 million trays in the Darwin region alone.
Industry groups say the right season is a double-edged sword as growers compete with others industries for workers and high fuel prices are driving up costs.
Canberra could be key to Top End harvest
The territorial government says it has appealed to the federal government to expedite visa processing to get their hands on the farms.
"The le The federal government has already committed more resources to this area," Burke said.
Here's how the increased skilled migration cap was received by visa holders and applicants
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, but workers and migrant organizations are concerned about visa processing times and protections against worker exploitation.

Agrotech Sep 6, 2022 0 83 Add to Reading List

317 jobs, 13 applicants: Labor shortage looms as mango picking season begins

There are growing concerns that some of this year's Northern Territory mango harvest may never make it to supermarkets across the country as the local economy comes under strain by widespread labor shortages.

Key points:

Industry group warns Top End mango growers are short of around 1,000 workers

Representatives will visit East Timor tomorrow to discuss the possibility of attracting more Timorese workers to the Top Fin

Between 10 and 20% of the harvest last year's mangoes would not have been picked

The Government of the Northern Territories is now looking abroad to help pick fruit in the upper part of the territory, which is the country's largest mango producer.

But with the annual fruit-picking season already in its infancy, industrial groups striels have warned the sector is still short of approximately 1,000 workers.

"We have vacancies currently advertised for 317 positions, for which we received 13 applicants this week last,” said Paul Burke of NT Farmers.

“That’s it, pickers, packers, forklift drivers; we're really short of truck drivers right now.

"That will mean longer hours and that means some fruit might not be picked - and that's a travesty."

Mr. Burke said about 10-20% of last year's yield was unpicked. media" aria-labelledby="101411078" data-component="Figure" data-uri="coremedia://imageproxy/101411078">NT Farmers managing director Paul Burke says labor shortages could mean mangoes won't be picked this (ABC News: Matt Roberts)The government says this year's harvest is likely to be even bigger, exceeding last year's trade by 300,000 to produce around 2.7 million trays in the Darwin region alone.

Industry groups say the right season is a double-edged sword as growers compete with others industries for workers and high fuel prices are driving up costs.

Canberra could be key to Top End harvest

The territorial government says it has appealed to the federal government to expedite visa processing to get their hands on the farms.

"The le The federal government has already committed more resources to this area," Burke said.

Here's how the increased skilled migration cap was received by visa holders and applicants

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, but workers and migrant organizations are concerned about visa processing times and protections against worker exploitation.