June 2024 - 11
LABOR REPORT
to handle recruitment, " a grower wrote. " With
increased wages and labor contractor fees, I have
been forced to reduce the quantity of my workforce.
A smaller workforce means I have to manage
harvest more efficiently and spend more money to
work overtime. Overall, the new wages and legal
process has significantly cut into my bottom line
and margins. "
Impact of legal process and
wage requirements
The introduction of new legal processes and wage
requirements has significantly influenced growers'
use of the H-2A program. Respondents expressed
various concerns, which can be categorized into
several common themes.
Cost and affordability: Nearly half of the respondents
(44%) cited concerns about the increasing costs
associated with the H-2A program, making it
challenging to afford.
" The increasing costs of the program and wages
continues to put some growers at competitive
disadvantage to others, " a grower stated. " If you are
able to raise prices to offset increased costs, then you
may be able to come out ahead but if you are a price
taker then you can't. "
" New wage is too high, " another grower
responded. " Labor is up, fertilizer's up, shipping
is up, chemicals are up, etc., food in the stores is
up, but I'm still getting the same amount for our
veggies. If this keeps going and more farmers go
under and are no longer farming where will our
SAFE food come from? Something needs to be done
with the H-2A wage. "
Wage increases are pressing agricultural employers.
" Georgia is becoming increasingly reliant on
the (H-2A) program especially in terms of fruit
and vegetable production, " said Chris Butts, vice
president of Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers
Association. " Our industry is faced with doubledigit
wage increases and regulatory burdens are
increasing. Economically, it is becoming unviable to
use H-2A, but unfortunately it is our only option ...
we are in a bad place right now. "
Impact on profitability: For 21% of respondents,
the new wage requirements were highlighted
as negatively affecting their profitability and
sustainability.
" The Adverse Wage Rate is not affordable for us, "
a grower stated. " Our commodity prices are not
increasing at the rates to afford this wage. We are
forced to raise less hand-harvested crops. "
" Makes me wonder why! " another grower stated.
" Why do these pay rates keep increasing? Especially,
FRUITGROWERSNEWS.COM | 11
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http://www.FRUITGROWERSNEWS.COM
June 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2024
Editor's Letter
Automation: Time to upgrade
Labor Report: Labor challenges persist
2024 Labor Survey results
Grower Profile: High desert tree fruit
Irrigation & Water Management: Protecting water supplies through groundwater recharge
40 Under Forty Fresh Views: Sanctuary and stewardship
Farm Market & Agritourism: Unveiling the divide: Brand versus logo
Ag Labor Review: Feeling humility from time to time is not a bad thing
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
June 2024 - 1
June 2024 - 2
June 2024 - 3
June 2024 - Editor's Letter
June 2024 - 5
June 2024 - Automation: Time to upgrade
June 2024 - 7
June 2024 - 8
June 2024 - 9
June 2024 - Labor Report: Labor challenges persist
June 2024 - 11
June 2024 - 12
June 2024 - 13
June 2024 - 2024 Labor Survey results
June 2024 - 15
June 2024 - Grower Profile: High desert tree fruit
June 2024 - 17
June 2024 - 18
June 2024 - 19
June 2024 - 20
June 2024 - 21
June 2024 - Irrigation & Water Management: Protecting water supplies through groundwater recharge
June 2024 - 23
June 2024 - 40 Under Forty Fresh Views: Sanctuary and stewardship
June 2024 - 25
June 2024 - 26
June 2024 - 27
June 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism: Unveiling the divide: Brand versus logo
June 2024 - 29
June 2024 - Ag Labor Review: Feeling humility from time to time is not a bad thing
June 2024 - 31
June 2024 - Classifieds
June 2024 - 33
June 2024 - Advertiser Index
June 2024 - 35
June 2024 - 36
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