Finland's Berry Sector Faces Picker Shortage Amidst New Regulations and Past Scandals

Finland's wild berry sector is confronting its past and present challenges, including long-standing issues of poor treatment of foreign berry pickers and a recent investigation into cartel activities among major companies. For years, media reports have detailed the harsh working conditions faced by pickers, many of whom returned home in debt after arduous work in Finnish forests.

A significant development occurred in February 2025 with a legislative change that reclassified wild berry picking as seasonal work. This shift mandates that foreign pickers enter Finland under employment contracts, requiring them to obtain seasonal work visas or residence permits. Consequently, they are now subject to Finnish labor laws and occupational safety regulations.

This new regulatory framework has created substantial hurdles for the industry. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has reported that approximately 2,200 seasonal work visa applications related to berry picking have been received, primarily processed by the Finnish representation in Bangkok. However, around 1,600 applications have been processed, with nearly 90 percent being rejected. The ministry cited concerns about potential exploitation risks and employers' failure to comply with legal obligations as reasons for the high rejection rate.

The stringent visa process appears to be causing a severe shortage of pickers for the current season. Berry companies express frustration, with Marja Bothnia Berries highlighting the rejection of a seasoned picker, Walphot Wongsakaeo, despite his previous compliant work history in Finland. The company placed a newspaper advertisement pleading, "Let Walphot come to Finland," underscoring the industry's reliance on these workers and their difficulties in navigating the new system.

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Let Walphot come to Finland