Summerfruit NZ chairman and chief executive of Cromwell-based orchard 45 South Tim Jones says stone fruit producers in Central Otago are worried about labour shortages this harvesting season. Central Otago’s mayor will help pick fruit off trees this summer as a severe labour shortage threatens the region’s billion-dollar orchard industry. Summerfruit New Zealand chairman and chief executive of Cromwell-based orchard 45 South Tim Jones said the looming worker shortage was a huge concern. The industry had approached Queenstown and Wanaka employers such as NZSki to bring ski workers on buses into Central Otago for orchard work. Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan said the looming labour shortage crisis would affect “every single person and business” in the region.

Source: Stuff August 28, 2020 06:02 UTC