Growers say access to seasonal workers is essential to prevent valuable produce being left unpicked in fields and orchards
Growers and poultry producers have been given their earliest-ever indication of seasonal labour availability after 42,900 Seasonal Worker Scheme visas were confirmed for 2027.
The allocation includes 41,000 visas for horticulture and 1,900 for poultry workers.
The decision follows engagement with government and industry partners and gives businesses more certainty to plan for the year ahead.
Confirmation around a year in advance marks an improvement on previous years, with the union describing it as the earliest indication of an allocation received to date.
Seasonal labour remains critical for horticultural businesses during peak harvesting periods, while poultry producers rely heavily on temporary workers in the run-up to Christmas.
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board Chair Martin Emmett welcomed the government's decision to maintain the horticulture allocation at 41,000 visas.
“The decision to maintain the horticulture allocation at 41,000 visas is welcome recognition of the sector's ongoing need for seasonal labour,” he said.
He added that seasonal workers play an essential role in harvesting crops efficiently and reducing the risk of produce being left unpicked.
“Seasonal workers remain essential to harvesting crops efficiently and preventing valuable produce from being left in the field,” Emmett said.
The poultry sector will receive 1,900 visas for 2027, continuing a dedicated route that has developed since the Temporary Visa Scheme for poultry was introduced in 2021.
NFU Seasonal Poultry Group Chair Jonathan Smith said the early confirmation would help businesses plan for the year ahead.
“We welcome the timely confirmation of the poultry worker allocation and the recognition of the sector's ongoing labour needs,” he said.
Smith said skilled seasonal staff remain particularly important ahead of the Christmas period and called for labour market conditions to continue being monitored.
The NFU is still pushing for multi-year allocations, arguing that longer-term certainty would allow farm businesses to plan investment and workforce needs with greater confidence.
Visa costs also remain a concern for some seasonal employers.
“We also urge the government and labour scheme providers to keep under review the costs associated to the visa scheme as these can prohibit uptake for some seasonal businesses,” Smith said.
While the 2027 allocation gives businesses earlier certainty than in previous years, the NFU says longer-term allocations and scheme affordability will remain key issues for the sector.