Foreign workers fill labour gap on Lithuanian farms as local interest declines

Farms across Lithuania are increasingly turning to foreign workers to address a growing shortage of local labor, according to the Vegetable Growers' Association. With fewer Lithuanians entering the agricultural sector, many farmers are relying heavily on temporary foreign labor, primarily from outside the European Union, although numbers from within the bloc are also increasing. Over 5,000 non-EU nationals are currently working on Lithuanian farms, with additional support from EU citizens. In the Kaunas district, one farm employs a third of its workforce from Ukraine. A Ukrainian worker named Olha, who came to Lithuania to care for her granddaughter, began working after a month in the country. She described her role in a food processing workshop, noting that she assists wherever needed, whether in the dairy section or elsewhere. Her son, Andriy, praised the working conditions and the fair pay, highlighting the positive experience of both him and his mother. The farm’s owner, Audrius Banionis, has previously hired workers from several countries including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Mozambique. He noted that while these workers varied in behavior and habits, Ukrainian workers appeared to share cultural similarities with Lithuanians. To aid integration, Banionis has invested in housing and actively engages with his workers during leisure time, fostering a sense of community through shared activities like music and dancing. Paulius Andriejavas, chairman of the Vegetable Growers' Association, emphasized that nearly every farm faces staffing shortages, especially during peak seasons requiring additional labor. While some farms employ workers from Africa and Pakistan, only about two out of ten meet the required standards. He pointed out the evolving nature of farming, which now demands higher levels of precision and quality control in everything from packaging to preparation processes. Mindaugas Maciulevičius, head of the Kaunas branch of the Farmers' Union, highlighted the particular demand for livestock-related work, which many Lithuanians avoid due to its association with manure and other challenges. As agriculture becomes more mechanized, the need for skilled labor is also increasing. Jurgita Zemblytė, from the Employment Service, outlined that approximately 20% of foreign workers handle unskilled tasks, while the remaining specialize in areas such as operating agricultural machinery and driving heavy vehicles. Vacancies are concentrated in specific regions, notably the Pakruojis, Radviliškis, and Panevėžys districts. Wages vary significantly, with the highest offers typically reserved for agricultural machinery operators, while crop-growing roles command lower compensation. This trend reflects broader shifts in the agricultural workforce, driven by demographic changes and evolving industry practices. Farmers anticipate continued reliance on foreign labor over the next five years, as local interest in agricultural employment continues to decline.