French Farms Face Labor Shortage as COVID Restrictions Limit Foreign Workers

According to the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA), the main agricultural union, farm operators, who recruit between 190,000 and 290,000 seasonal workers each spring and summer for harvests and vintages, "fear that these crucial arms will be lacking again" due to health restrictions that prevent foreign seasonal workers - the bulk of the reinforcements between March and July - from arriving in the orchards, vineyards and market gardens of France, reports Le Figaro.

They especially fear that Moroccan seasonal workers, whose authorities have extended the suspension of all passenger flights to and from Morocco until January 31, 2022, will not be able to reach France for the next harvests. Jérôme Volle, in charge of employment issues at the FNSEA, hopes that French students will also be on hand this year.