Global Harvests at Risk With Travel Limits Squeezing Labor
- Visa halt hits as U.S. farms gear up for peak growing seasons
- Blow to produce farms in Australia, meat processors in Canada
Workers on a farm in Puyallup, Washington
Photographer: David Ryder/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Across the globe, governments are imposing travel limits in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus. The unintended consequence is a squeeze on migrant labor that’s a cornerstone of food production.
American produce growers preparing to harvest crops are warning of a devastating impact on fruit and vegetables after the U.S. Embassy in Mexico announced a halt to visa interviews for seasonal farm workers. Slaughterhouses also may face labor shortages.