Danish agriculture is expected to face labor shortages in the coming years as fewer Eastern Europeans are willing to take on seasonal work. Shortages of several thousand workers are already anticipated within a few years. In fact, the curve for the influx of foreign labor has flattened more than previously predicted.
Data from Statistics Denmark and Jobinsats.dk show that 'Agriculture, forestry, and fishing' account for 21 percent of full-time employment. More than half of the foreign workforce in agriculture originates from Eastern Europe. Of these, more than half (57%) come from Eastern European EU countries, while 38 percent come from non-EU countries.
In the latest study, Romanian workers formed the second largest group of foreign employees in Danish agriculture, after Ukrainians, who hold the first position. According to the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment, in June 2020 there were 3,621 Romanians employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, while the number of Ukrainians amounted to 4,837. These numbers can vary by season.
In several EU countries, the economy is improving — so much so that the workforce is increasingly staying away from Denmark and its agriculture industry, which heavily relies on foreigners. Foreign labor has driven large parts of Denmark's growth, according to the same report. The inflow of the foreign workforce in Denmark averages 3.8 percent, while in agriculture it is 5.8 percent.
Danish researchers state that without foreign labor Denmark would not have experienced such significant economic growth, especially during a boom when it is difficult to attract Danish workers. The fear is that it will become even harder now that countries like Poland and Ukraine are trying to employ agricultural seasonal workers domestically.
“International workers are very important to Danish agriculture, not to mention the Danish economy. That is why it is essential that we continue to offer attractive jobs in Danish agriculture,” says Morten Holm Østergaard of the Danish Agriculture and Food Council.
“There are genuinely many farmers urgently needing staff. With missing interns this past winter, many farmers gave up. They call and complain, and some are nearly desperate,” described Personnel Consultant Frida Sollingvraa the situation.