fbpx
Get ahead of the crowd with Premium
Login
Register Forgot password

Make money fruit picking this Summer

Chiara Cavaglieri 2nd Apr 2020 18 Comments

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Fruit picking is a great way to make money in the summer – and with the coronavirus pandemic, pickers are in higher demand than ever before.

The summer’s almost here and what better way to enjoy the great British weather than by earning some cash picking fruit? Fruit picking in the UK takes place in the summer months, usually from June to September when strawberries, apples and hops are harvested. Depending on the summer month, you will be picking a certain fruit. For example, strawberries and gooseberries are often picked from early June to mid July, plums and apples are picked in late August and pears are picked in September.

Why is demand so high?

The concern about fruit and vegetable supply in the UK isn’t the problem. Despite the panic-buying seen at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, food supplies are still plentiful. In reality, the problem comes down to the workforce.

Most fruit pickers in the UK are migrant workers. However, with international travel severely restricted due to the coronavirus, farmers are crying out to the British population to join their fruit-picking army in time for the summer.

Thousands of migrant workers who would normally visit the UK for the fruit-picking season won’t be able to make the journey this year. So, it’s up to those already living in the UK to help farmers (and earn cash, too!).

What’s involved?

Woman picking fruit in summer

This is one of the few jobs in the world where it’s as simple as it sounds. You’ll be shown how to determine whether a fruit is ripe enough for picking, and what to do with them once picked. Often, accommodation is provided as part of the job too, so you can spend your summer living in a new location, working outdoors, and getting fit!

There are no skills required and you won’t need previous experience. All you need is to be able to speak English and have a strong willingness to work hard.  This is a physically demanding job, so you need to be in good health. It’s a good way to burn those calories and spare tyres built up in self-isolation, too!

Fruit picking is an outdoor job, so wear old casual clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You may be standing in fields for hours on end so comfortable shoes are a must. You’ll also need a hat and some sun cream so you don’t get burnt.

If hard labour isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other jobs associated with fruit picking. These include checking and weighing the fruit, making jam, packing/labelling and selling the fruit in the farm shop.

 

Do I need to relocate?

If you don’t live near the farm you want to work for, then you may be able to stay in the farmhouse or camp on site in a caravan. Some farmers will provide this accommodation for free to their pickers while others may charge a small fee. It would be best to check before you sign up, otherwise you could end up losing cash by forking out for digs.

 

How will I be paid?

You’re usually paid cash in hand so you’ll need to sort out your own tax/National Insurance. You’ll need to register as self-employed – even if it’s just a summer job and you have other PAYE employment during the year.

You may get an hourly or daily rate, but sometimes you’re paid according to how much you pick (e.g. you get a certain amount per kilo or pound). This system is called ‘piecework’ and can be fruitful for hard workers.

Because this is typically seen as casual work, most farmers  won’t offer a contract of employment or any perks like holiday or sick pay.

 

Should I do it?

Fruit picking is manual labour and might not be suitable for everyone. So, if you aren’t keen on physical work this won’t be for you. If a bit of hard graft doesn’t scare you it’s a great way to stay fit whilst earning money, being outdoors and soaking up the sunshine. You’ll also make new friends as you get to know your fellow fruit-pickers.

Picking fruit for cash

Getting started

Fruit picking in the UK

There are fruit farms all over the UK producing a wide range of fruit, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find work somewhere. For example Kelsey Farms in Kent employs over 250 people each summer to pick their fruit. The Feed the Nation drive means even more agricultural jobs are available this year than usual, too.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to finding fruit-picking work:

Step one: search your area

Check local farms for work first and keep an eye out for vacancies in the local papers. Find a farmers’ market near you and ask about any jobs that are currently being advertised.

Step two: look online

Go to Picking Jobs where you can put in a search for fruit picking in Europe and see what’s available. Another useful website is Anywork Anywhere, which has a similar set up and can be used to search for all kinds of other seasonal jobs both here and abroad.

Another good website is Employment4Students, which has loads of summer vacancies such as fruit-picking jobs. When you see a job that interests you, email the employer directly giving a few basic details about yourself and the dates you can do.

You can also try these specific recruitment sites:

Step three: find out what it’s like to be a picker

Read about other people’s experiences of fruit picking here and take a look at this information about two big fruit growers in the UK to give you an idea of how it all works:

Fruit picking in Scotland

Do you want to pick fruit outside of the summer months? PJ Stirling Fruit Farms have a soft fruit farm in Scotland where the picking season runs all year round, but is particularly busy from April to November. At this farm a shift is normally no more than eight hours for six days a week. The day starts early, at around 6.30am and finishes by 3pm. Wages are in line with EU employment laws. There are mobile homes and dormitories for workers to share at reasonable prices and coach trips on Sundays to take workers to local places of interest.

Fruit picking in Kent

Edward Vinson Ltd own three sites in Kent. There are 70 hectares of strawberry fields and 20 hectares of raspberry fields. Employees are paid either by the hour or by piecework. The working week is from Saturday to Friday, with overtime shifts available in peak seasons. The basic hourly rate is £6.21, which isn’t much, but the overtime rate is 150%. ‘Piece work’, where pay relates to how much is picked, is also available at £0.621 per unit. Again, accommodation is available (campsites with mobile homes) for a small charge per week. There are also football pitches and volleyball areas to enjoy plus trips to nearby cities.

 

Fruit picking abroad

Fruit picking is an ideal way to earn some money during your gap year while you’re travelling. You’ll probably meet lots of people who are also on their gap year. So, you’ll be able to find much cheaper accommodation as a picker than you would as a tourist. Search for vacancies in Europe, North America and Australasia online with sites like Picking Jobs. (Remember to also apply for relevant working visas before you travel, too!).

However, with the current coronavirus crisis, it’s unlikely farmers will recruit international staff at this time. In addition, working laws very between countries – the UK has stricter laws than some others. This means you have better protection in terms of things like health and safety. Support the UK economy this year – perhaps next year you can take that international work-around-the-world trip you had planned!

Ask questions on our messageboard

Do you have questions about finding work during (or after) the coronavirus crisis? Are you wondering how to make extra cash while you’re on furlough?

The new MoneyMagpie Messageboard is the perfect place for you! Post your burning questions and get stuck into conversation with other Magpies to share your experiences and learn more money-saving (and money-making) tips and tricks.

Plus, you could also win a £25 Amazon voucher every week just for posting!

4 1 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

18 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mark Double
Mark Double
2 years ago

Hi I’m looking for fruit picking work from 23RD of August onwards please contact me asap good worker and like to keep fit while picking. Also drive and have my own car..

Last edited 2 years ago by Mark Double
Martin jackson
Martin jackson
3 years ago

Looking for a fruit picking job for during the summer of 2021, anyone know who’s taking applications. Thanks in advance!

Kevin mckeown
Kevin mckeown
3 years ago

I’m a pensioner looking for fruit picking work I’m a active 68 year old.l worked on the buildings for 52 years and don’t mind hard graft my hobbies include fishing and shooting and love working outside

Jasmine Birtles
Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Kevin mckeown

That’s great. You sounds like someone who would enjoy this work. Use the links in the article to apply for it 🙂

Simon
Simon
3 years ago

I am reaching out to any one who is looking to provide employment for fruit picking opportunities. 
I have a tent and would be happy to camp if that is suitable. If you provide a shower room and kitchen facilities then that would be a bonus!
Call 07931714879
 
Thanks for reading 🙂
 
 

Erik
Erik
3 years ago

I need picking fruit job. For cash in hand 07520222243 will live in farm

Jasmine Birtles

Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.

Jasmine Birtles

Send this to a friend