By Patrick Mason
Each year, nearly 60,000 migrant workers make their way from Mexico, Jamaica, and Guatemala, among other places, to work on Canadian farms.1
When the Canadian borders were closed back in March, these workers were included in the closing. Later, they were granted an exemption to enter the country, but many of the workers are staying home.
Employers in the industry are worried. The margins are thin even in the best of times. But now, with erratic flight schedules into Canada and some farms requiring 14-day self-quarantine of the workers who actually make it across the border, it is likely there won’t be enough support for planting, pruning and picking.
This puts farmers in a tough spot. A farmer who plants only half the corn and pumpkins now won’t have the same yield he had expected originally. This, in turn, will lead to higher food prices in the grocery stores over the next year.
One federal program promises farmers and other agribusiness employers $1500 per migrant worker, which can be used toward salaries or even quarantining costs. But the program doesn’t solve the problem of quarantining or the late start dates due to difficulty in finding workers.
As the situation continues to change and evolve, it’s challenging to plan ahead. Nevertheless, there are still small things farmers and other employers in the agriculture industry can do to prepare. For example:
- Consult with your broker. It’s challenging to stay on top of a situation as volatile as a global pandemic. But your broker can be an invaluable resource, uniquely positioned to consider all the factors and help you design your plans for the current situation.
- Manage your expectations. Without the right number of workers, you can’t expect to produce the same amount of product. There may be waste. You may want to adjust your gross revenue premium now, and expect that there will be a decline in revenue at this time next year.
- Train the workers you have. As in other industries, the employees you do have will have to adjust their workplace practices. Require the use of PPE and provide sanitization stations. Remind employees to keep their distance and report back if they are feeling ill. The bunk houses may need to be half full in order to leave extra space for each employee.
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