The UK 's migrant farmers are bracing themselves for a labour shortage as short - term workers from the uk avoid the country due to Brexit and fears of a frosty reception from residents , as well as because of concerns about their labour rights . In addition , the weak pound has made other EU countries more attractive to seasonal workers . About 80,000 EU workers work in the UK 's fruit and vegetable sector every year and their wages have declined in the past two decades , leading to a shortfall of around 10,000 workers .
The UK's asparagus farmers are bracing themselves for a labour shortage as short-term workers from the EU avoid the country due to Brexit and fears of a frosty reception from residents, as well as because of concerns about their employment rights. In addition, the weak pound has made other EU countries more attractive to seasonal workers. About 80,000 EU citizens work in the UK's fruit and vegetable sector every year and their numbers have declined in the past two seasons, leading to a shortfall of around 10,000 workers.