ADMINCanada is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, together with the US. Most of Canada’s agricultural activities depend on seasonal workers and migrants to supply the labor needs. Fruit picking accounts for a large percentage of the job opportunities that are open for migrants.
Focus is shifted to the year 2025 in anticipation of a larger demand for farm workers. Most employers are opening their doors for workers from abroad and are sponsoring visas.
The following is a comprehensive guide that describes fruit picking jobs vacancies in Canada among other jobs, offered visas, anticipated wages, prerequisites, and steps to take in application.
Reasons Why Canada Requires Foreign Workers for Picking Fruit
There are a number of considerations that agree in making agriculture one of the expected sectors of growth in Canada’s economy. Some farms, however, cannot achieve this growth because of the insufficient workers able and willing to engage in seasonal farm labour. Here is the root of the issue, a labour squeeze, and there are numerous reasons which include:
- Time-Specific Work: Seasonal fruit picking is the majority of the fruit picking that exists and in certain cases lasts for no more than few months and that doesn’t favor economically.
- Remote Locations of Work: Many of the fruit farms are located in remote places and far from the larger cities where the majority of Canada’s working population is located.
- Nature of the Job: Fruit picking is an intensive job, as in the majority of instances picking it is necessary for several hours or even the whole day and during unfavourable working weather conditions.
- Aging Workforce: Many of the local farmers are retiring now, and that creates voids in the workforce that the young ones cannot fill.
In order to mitigate the issues discussed previously, Canada recruits overseas workers through its work permit and immigration policies.
Various Types of Fruit Picking Opportunities in Canada
Fruit picking employment depends on location and the season of the year. Here is a list of the most common fruit picking jobs that are offered to migrant workers in Canada.
1. Picking Apples
- Region: Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
- Month of the Year: August – October.
- Employee ascends the tree, picks the apples, divides them according to their pre-established quality and packages them for shipping.
2. Picking Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Cranberries
- Region: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia.
- Period of the Year: May – September.
- Role Description: Gently pick soft fruit using bare fingers and handle them very gently in order not to spoil the product.
3. Picking Cherries
- Location: British Columbia – Okanagan Valley.
- Period of Year: July – August.
- Role Description: Cherry pickers gently pick the cherries off the trees and load them in specialized containers without injuring them.
4. Vineyard and Grape Procurement Labor
- Ontario: Niagara region, British Columbia: Okanagan Valley.
- Period of Year: August – October.
- Role Overview: Harvests and sorts grapes grown in wineries for wine. Assists in overall maintenance of wine yard: covering the vineyards, weeding and pruning other plants, harvesting the fruit, and sorting the grapes.
5. Picking Peaches and Plums
- Region: British Columbia and Ontario
- Time of Year: July – September.
- Role Description: Harvests mature peaches and plums off trees, divides them up and packages them for delivery.
6. Picking Vegetables
- Provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario
- Period: Spring to Autumn.
- Main Responsibilities: Includes harvesting vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce.
Types of Visas for Canadian Fruit Picking Job
As an international fruit picker intending to work in Canada in 2025, you need to obtain the appropriate visa or work permit. These are the most pertinent ones:
1. Canadian / Foreign (TFW) Agricultural Workers through the ‘Temporary Foreign Worker Program’ for Farming
- The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, abbreviated as TFW, assists in procuring Canadian Employers foreign workers for seasonal farm employment jobs that involve the remit of not having local farmers for the job available. It is in this that the employer needs to obtain an LMIA that ensures the hiring of a foreign worker is crucial. They are granted mostly for 8 months and are renewable.
- Return is obligatory under this visa system after agreement of a contract unless new employment that secures a sponsoring employer affords the worker.
2. Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program for Mexican and Caribbean Nationals
- The SAWP program enables these workers to remain in Canada for extended periods of the year, until 8 months. Offers low-cost subsidized employee housing for workers on basic accommodations. Entitles seasonal returning visits without the need to apply again every visit.
3. Agri-Food Pilot Program
- Residual status of migration is provided to agriculture workers under this program. It is ideal for the ones who aspire to stay in Canada on a permanent basis.
- Should have a minimum of one year of experience in an agricultural job.
- Basic English level is a requirement.
- Have to have a sponsor employer.
4. Working Holiday Visa (International Experience Canada – IEC)
- This visa allows 18- to 35-year-olds from specified countries to work in Canada for a limited amount of time including fruit picking schemes. Suitable for tourists and students wishing to supplement their income through temporary farm labour. No sponsorship by the employer is needed. Up to two years of validity depends on the applicant’s home country.
Eligibility Criteria for Picking Fruits in Canada
Overseas candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements in order to be considered for fruit picking jobs in Canada.
1. Physical Condition and Health
- Most companies expect workers to be 18 years or older. Harvesting fruit demands a reasonable level of physical fitness, and therefore the applicants need to be healthy enough to be able to lift, remain standing, and bend for extended periods of time.
2. Experience and Expertise
- There is no experience or educational requirement as a bare minimum, although previous experience working on a farm can be beneficial.
- The minimum acceptable level of cognitive ability of an employee is comprehension of the instructions and completion of the relevant activities in a timely manner.
3. Language Requirement
- Most of the fruit picking jobs carry no need for advance English skills, although basic vocabulary will be of benefit. Some programs like the Agri-Food Pilot may also give support in terms of remuneration but expect evidence of English capability be it through the IELTS or CELPIP or similar tests.
4. Permit for Employment
- The worker is required to obtain these visas or working permit prior to arrival in Canada. Most of the Temporary Work Permits are sponsored by the employers which means that the employee will have to wait for much longer periods of time before they can begin working.
How to Apply for Harvesting Jobs in Canada
Step 1: Begin To Look For Job
-
Search Canadian job websites that encompass:
- Job Bank Canada (government website).
- Indeed CA.
- AgriRecruit Canada.
- WorkBC (a website for British Columbia).
- Have contact with Canadian agricultural recruitment agents.
Step 2: Apply for a Working Visa
- You can apply for a work visa if you are already employed by an employer. Visit the Government of Canada website in that case. Employers hiring under the TFWP are required to get an LMIA to accompany your application, thus making them your supporting employer for TFWP.
Step 3: Move To Canada And Start Working
- You are able to travel to Canada after obtaining your visa and can book a flight. Employers also provide accommodation close to the point of exit, making it easier for workers to settle in.
Wage Levels and Benefits
1. Payment Tiers
- Fruit pickers in Canada are ordinarily remunerated in the range of CAD 15 to CAD 20 per hour. Some of the jobs classify under the piece wage remuneration system where workers get paid in proportion to the amount of fruits harvested. As a result, greater quantities of fruit harvested would increase wages.
- In certain provinces, overtime payments are made.
2. Meals and Accommodation
- As previously indicated, employers generally offer accommodations to workers for free. Some farms also manage to give workers subsidized meals.
3. Advantages Health and Safety
- Employees are generally insured in one way or another. Safety procedures need to be followed as well as ensuring a safe working environment together with the protective gear that the workers need.
Problems Associated with Fruit Picking Jobs in Canada
1. Enduring Labor Activity
- Physical fruit picking includes bending for extensive periods of time in the lower half of the body, in addition to lifting enough that types of weather have an impact on it.
2. Job Site Geographic
- Mobility Most farms are in rural settings which significantly restricts the level of recreation, restaurants, and social events that are offered.
3. Contract Employment
- These jobs are predominantly temporary where during harvesting the workers are released to look for a new job.
Conclusion
Canada and farm labour are expected to be attractive to foreign workers as of 2025 in addition to visa sponsorship pursuant to the TFWP and SAWP schemes. It is demanding as it involves doing physical tasks, yet the lucrative wages, accommodation for free, and the potential of remaining in Canada is inviting. Additionally, Canadian fruit picking is beneficial for those that are looking to secure a seasonal job that can serve as a stepping stone to permanent residency in agriculture.
ADMIN