Fruit and vegetable growers in Michigan face challenges

Michigan’s fruit and vegetable producers are struggling with operational difficulties, experts say, and some are leaving the industry. Theresa Sisung of the Michigan Farm Bureau stressed that apple, cherry and asparagus growers are struggling with soaring labor costs and labor shortages, as well as increased import competition, among other issues. She noted that labor costs for H2A visa holders have increased nearly 60% over the past decade due to federal wage regulations. At the same time, the influx of year-round crop imports has increased competition, taking advantage of lower labor costs abroad. “They can sometimes bring these products here cheaper than we can grow them – often cheaper – than we can grow them here in our state,” Sisung noted.

Nate Chesher of the Cherry Marketing Institute also pointed to rising labor costs, which are now over $18 an hour, as well as rising costs for chemicals, gasoline and electricity. He described the situation as “a perfect storm of challenges.” Lobbying efforts are underway to stabilize wages for H-2A visas and to help farmers with financial planning. Meanwhile, Sisung raised concerns that farmers are switching to less labor-intensive crops or abandoning farming. The current scenario requires a critical evaluation of growing specialty crops domestically versus increasing dependence on imports.

Source: michiganpublic.org