Looming Labor Shortage Drives San Joaquin Valley Growers to Pay More
San Joaquin Valley
By ANUK Staff
5.13.13
San Joaquin Valley growers are paying farmworkers more as concerns about a potential labor shortage loom ahead.
With labor pool already tight and warmer temperatures driving crops including cherries, blueberries and tree fruit to ripen at the same time, some growers are offering farmworkers up to $10 an hour, according to the Fresno Bee.
Wages are roughly $1 to $1.50 an hour higher than last year and still present the possibility of increasing further as the season progresses. Average hourly earnings for workers rose to $12.09 during peak harvest season in September of 2012.
Tighter border security, increased smuggling costs for immigrants and drug-related violence are contributing to fewer people entering the U.S. to work in the fields, according to The Bee.
Rising labor costs are putting more pressure on smaller growers who are less able to shell out higher wages. Some are resorting to other incentives such as offering free lunches for laborers.
Furthermore, farmers generally can’t pass along the higher cost of labor to consumers, presenting yet another financial headache.
