Farmers are warning of a daffodil shortage this spring unless they can recruit pickers from the EU.
Growers say up to 75 per cent of their crop could be left unpicked due to critical labour shortage, leaving smaller farmers forced to give up daffodil growing.
Harvesting of the billion stems begins in the first week of January and around 2,500 pickers are needed.
James Hosking, one of the largest growers, based in Cornwall, said the situation was “very grim and added: “If we can’s recruit more pickers, there won’t be a daffodil industry left.”
Over the last 20 years, growers have relied on eastern European labour to hand pick each daffodil.
However, Brexit and Covid restrictions have led to a labour shortage and around a quarter of the stems were left in the ground last season.
Farmers predict this season could be worse and could even lead to the end of the industry in the UK.
“There won’t be as many in the supermarkets this spring if nothing changes. You can’t import daffodils from anywhere else – Cornwall is the only place that can grow them at this time of year. But if you can’t harvest your crop, you haven’t got a business,” warned Mr Hosking.
The Government has promised to extend a visa scheme allowing farmers to bring in seasonal workers from overseas. At present this only applies to fruit and vegetables, and excludes non-edible crops.
LSL News.