On The Land
17 March, 2022
Backpackers make return
FARMERS are breathing a sigh of relief as the first wave of backpackers enter the country, amid hope that others will begin to follow, however a return to peak numbers could be slow.
For the past few years during Covid, farmers have been grappling with a worker shortage as backpackers left the country before Australia closed its international borders, with many farmers having to leave produce to rot on the ground as they struggled to secure workers.
While seasonal workers filled some gaping holes in the sector, farmers were still struggling after losing hundreds of thousands of workers across the country.
Now with Australia’s international borders open, farmers can expect a slow return to their peak worker numbers.
FNQ Growers chair Joe Moro said his first overseas backpacker since Covid start working for him last week, but warns a return to peak numbers could be slow and gradual.
“There are only 50 or so thousand (backpackers) in the country – I’ve got some backpackers that have been here two or three years that work for me,” he said.
“But we had 350,000 backpackers at the peak, there is a big gap between 350,000 and 50,000.
“I had my first guy come in last week, but I only had one – he’s been here for a month.
“I don’t think there will be big numbers, I think it will be a gradual increase – farmers are happy to see any backpacker turn up at this point in time but there are no big numbers to get excited about yet.”
