Farmers are destroying the berries - for the pickers, the euro per kilogram of berries is already too little

"Lithuanian vegetable growers, who have been talking about development and a bright future until recently, are alarmed - due to the lack of labor, some people are already destroying hectares of strawberries and considering whether it is worth continuing this branch.

 Others plan to build greenhouses where it would be possible to grow fewer but more expensive berries, only by family hands, or to plant crops that can be harvested mechanically. This year, unlike previous years, the model did not work either, when people were allowed to come to the farm and harvest themselves cheaper.

Missing people

“There was a problem, especially during the heat, when we didn’t have time to pick. We analyzed how to bring people from abroad. However, the nuance is that they need to be accommodated in a real estate object registered in the Center of Registers. It is not possible in caravans and campers, as in other countries where Lithuanians travel, although the work is seasonal, ”says Tautvydas Gurskas, a professional gardener.

Similar gloomy moods do not plague him alone.

"It simply came to our notice then. Most of my acquaintances reduce the area by almost half. I myself left a hectare of uncut strawberries, that is 5-6 tons of crop. I transported the workers from 30 km. distance. I had assembled a team. In the past, we were rescued by students. This year was a very long school year,” - explains Vidas Juodsnukis.

His farm employs 6 family members, 3 are hired and another 5 people are accepted for the harvest season, but these have simply disappeared.

The farmer says the picker gets 50 ct per kilogram. It is no longer worthwhile, because nothing will be left for the grower himself. During normal working hours of 7 hours a day you can earn 30 euros.

T. Gurskas also shares the experience that people do not go to work in the village because they receive benefits. On some farms, a good picker can earn up to € 80-90 a day. It costs 0.7-1.5 euros per kilogram, depending on the culture. 

 

According to the professional, the village in Lithuania is disappearing because large farms are expanding, growing grain and they do not need people.

 

They didn't even go picking themselves

“Our areas are large and we have always allowed people to come and pick themselves. However, this year we sold only a third of the harvest this way compared to the previous year. It is attractive for us - there is no need to pay pickers, cool, transport to the market ", - teaches V. Juodsnukis and says that he reduces the area because he does not want to invest in cultivation and lose the harvest. He himself jokes that farmers are already becoming similar to Palanga entrepreneurs, for whom the whole year is bad.

“Raspberry prices were as good as ever. Up to 8 euros per liter, but there was a lack of pickers. We ran out of blueberries. This year it was the best culture. However, they are planted in large numbers. If there is no processing, we will start competing with each other ", - V. Juodsnukis admits that not everything is bad and calculates that the average purchase price of strawberries was 2.2 euros per kilogram. Buyers who transport to Latvia paid 1.6 euros each.

Otherwise you will be a farmer

V. Juodsnuskis plans to build a half-hectare greenhouse that could be maintained by a family without employees. In addition, such berries are much earlier and yield more profitable than during the peak season. Other berry pickers plan to follow a similar path.

 

"We can't pay more per kilogram, because the price is rising and people are grabbing a cheaper Polish harvest, ” - explains V. Juodsnukis, saying that the profits are much lower than before. 

 

In addition, two months of summer heat caused losses.

V. Juodsnukis says that Lithuanians are growing watermelons and grapes, but they cannot predict the future of these crops. In addition, the market for dessert grapes is limited.

 

"Ten years ago, attempts were made to bring Ukrainians and Belarusians. They stayed in Lithuania's farm for a week and fled to work in the cities,” - V. Juodsnukis is not optimistic.

 

T. Gurskas predicts that the cultivated crops will change - there will be varieties and cultures that can be grown with harvesters. For example, raspberries sold for fresh consumption are different from those that can be harvested with a combine. The latter are more suitable for canning.

"Harvest will be more expensive, because more expensive labor and equipment. Otherwise it will simply not pay for the farmer to work. If the farmer sells blueberries at EUR 4 per kilogram, he gives EUR 1 of this amount to the picker, EUR 2 for cultivation cost. 0.5 euro packaging and cooling. At best, there is 1 euro left if you can save somewhere. This is the farmer's profit. 6-7 tons of berries can be attributed from one mature silo farm Practically all gardeners have additional work,” -explains T. Gurskas.

 

The gardener also explains how the Poles grow cheaper. Cheaper labor, more chemicals can be used, resulting in higher yields. As a result, our berries are valued because they are supposedly healthier."