Lithuanian farms turn to overseas labor as local workers dwindle

Lithuanian agriculture is facing a sharp decline in domestic labour, prompting farms to seek employees from overseas. The Berčiūnai agricultural company in Panevėžys district now employs people from Morocco, Ukraine, Turkey, Bangladesh and India, many of whom lack prior livestock experience. Veterinarian Artūras Abromaitis notes that newcomers initially struggle with farm conditions, even wearing gas masks in winter.

Data from the Lithuania Employment Service show foreign agricultural workers rising from about 2,000 last year to over 5,000 this year. Deputy director Giedrė Sinkevičė links the shortage to young people moving to cities and to social barriers that limit formal employment. Paulius Adriejavas of the Lithuanian Vegetable Growers Association warns that without policy changes, farms could collapse and calls for higher worker quotas.