Overseas workers pick of crop

A TASMANIAN fruit grower says even if every unemployed Tasmanian was hired to pick fruit at his company’s orchard, there still wouldn’t be enough pickers.

Reid Fruits managing director Tim Reid said business was booming at his cherry and apple orchard and he attributed much of the organisation’s success to the business’s growing number of fruit pickers, many of whom are from overseas.

He said during summer’s peak fruit season his company had 1050 employees.

“We wouldn’t have a business without the hardworking pickers and packers who’ve taken up work while they’re here in Tasmania,” Mr Reid said.

A spokeswoman for Tasmania’s Migrant Resource Centre said the organisation was hearing of more clients taking on orchard roles during Tasmania’s picking seasons.

Amod Acharya from Nepal said he sought employment at Reid Fruits after gaining a fondness for farming in his native country.

Mr Acharya said he hoped more fruit picking opportunities could be given to international university students.

University of Tasmania homestay co-ordinator Camille Hoffman said UTAS was exploring the idea of working with fruit growers to see that international students could find employment.

“It seems that students are staying longer in the summer to either pick or pack fruit before returning to their home country,” Ms Hoffman said.

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett last week announced a $550,000 horticulture market and trade development initiative to support Tasmania’s fruit and vegetable growers and agribusinesses.