Working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad like?

• Grape picking involves cutting bunches of grapes from the grapevine or vine and collecting them into crates. Fruit picking can be anything: apples, cherries, plums, olives, oranges, bananas, coffee cherries, kiwis... you name it!
• You often work in an international team with people from different countries.
• Together you harvest as much fruit as possible within the right time frame, because ripeness and the weather determine when the perfect harvest moment is. Timing is everything: too early and the fruit is sour, too late and it is overripe.
• Picking fruit can be physically challenging: bending over, climbing steps or even crawling a bit.
• In addition, preparatory work such as pruning, thinning or weeding is also part of the work.

Responsibilities

• Harvest grapes and fruit and collect them in crates.
• Sorting and checking quality.
• If necessary, climb trees or bend down for fruits that are difficult to reach.
• Help with preparatory work such as pruning, thinning or weeding.
• Working together with the team and the farming family.
• If necessary, assist with storage and transport of the harvest.

Working conditions

• You are often paid per amount of fruit you pick, sometimes supplemented with a production standard.
• Accommodation and meals are sometimes included, especially with small-scale or organic farmers.
• Physical work, with sometimes long and sometimes short days.
• The minimum age is often 18 years.
• Often affordable accommodation at a campsite or with the farmer himself.
• Seasonal work: duration depends on the harvest period.

What are the reasons for working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad abroad?

• To learn independence and responsibility: you are partly responsible for the harvest, which brings in the money for both you and the farm.
• To practice flexibility: work and planning follow nature and the weather.
• To learn to work together in a team: working intensively with international seasonal workers and farming families.
• To become environmentally aware: learn about agriculture, sustainability and food production from field to plate.

What skills and motivations do you need to work as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad abroad?

• Flexibility: the rhythm of the harvest and the weather require constant adjustment.
• Collaboration: good communication and teamwork are essential for an efficient harvest.
• Independence: you often work independently in your assigned section.
• Practical insight: picking, sorting and handling crops efficiently is important for both you and your employer.

What are the best countries and locations to work as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad?

• Fruit picking: Australia, England, France, Georgia, Italy, New Zealand, Jordan, Thailand, Switzerland.
• Grape picking: France, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand.
• Olive picking: Greece, Italy, Spain, Jordan.

What are the risks of working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

What are the risks of working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad, and what happens with some regularity

• that it is physically demanding: prolonged bending, lifting, walking and climbing can lead to muscle pain, back problems, joint problems or exhaustion.
• that you are inconvenienced by the weather: working in the sun can lead to dehydration, sunburn or heat exhaustion, while rain or cold can make the work more difficult and slippery.
• that you can have accidents: working with knives, pruners or ladders can lead to cuts, bruises, falls or other minor to medium accidents.
• that you may be bothered by insects or animals: stings and bites from bees, wasps, mosquitoes or other animals occur regularly and can cause allergic reactions.
• that you can become ill due to the local environment: exposure to pollen, dust, bacteria or water from the environment can lead to respiratory or stomach complaints.
• that you have a temporary or uncertain income: especially when payment depends on how much you pick, or when the weather affects the harvest.
• that you run the risk of overload or injuries due to lack of experience: inexperienced pickers often try to work harder to keep up with experienced colleagues, which can lead to injuries.
• that your health care may be limited: in some regions, access to medical care is limited or expensive, meaning an accident or illness can be financially and practically difficult.
• that you are mentally or emotionally taxed: long days, early mornings, intensive teamwork and sometimes living with the farmer can be mentally challenging.
• that you encounter unexpected circumstances: local infrastructure, transport problems or changing harvest dates can significantly influence your planning. 
• When you work in the agricultural sector, you may be exposed to greater financial or legal risks as soon as you start performing your work under your own responsibility. It is advisable, as far as possible, to also inquire to what extent your local employer is adequately insured for accidents, technical errors, or misjudgments. Of course, this is not always the case, nor can it be always ascertained in advance. Take this into account as much as possible when deciding whether to perform certain risky tasks.

Are you insured while working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
• Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
• During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
• See also: insurance for working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.