# Bumper crop under threat from harvest worker shortage - ABC News

> Farmers and contractors in Australia are asking for vaccinated harvest workers to be allowed in to quarantine on farms. Border closures have left agriculture short of skilled and unskilled labour, even as ABARES forecasts a winter crop of 46.8 million tonnes, 13% above the 10-year average.

- Date: 2021-08-02 · published 2021-08-02T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: logistics · region Australia · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/45531-bumper-crop-under-threat-from-harvest-worker-shortage-abc-news
- Commodities: [Wheat (SRW)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WHEAT.md), [Barley](https://feedsoft.ai/c/BARLEY.md)

## Why it matters

A labour shortage could slow harvesting and raise costs for a large crop, which would tighten prompt Australian wheat and barley supply somewhat. The effect on export prices is likely modest unless the shortage becomes severe.

## Read by commodity

- WHEAT: bullish ▲
- BARLEY: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| WHEAT | 2024-10-10 | [GrainCorp workers threaten to strike during expected bumper NSW harvest - ABC News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/27886-graincorp-workers-threaten-to-strike-during-expected-bumper-nsw-harvest-abc-news.md) | -0.5% | -1.3% |
| WHEAT | 2025-09-23 | [Worker disputes ail grain handlers on the eve of harvest](https://feedsoft.ai/events/22871-worker-disputes-ail-grain-handlers-on-the-eve-of-harvest.md) | -0.2% | +1.8% |
| WHEAT | 2019-11-20 | [CN Rail strike comes at 'probably the worst time' in Thunder Bay shipping season \| CBC News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/56078-cn-rail-strike-comes-at-probably-the-worst-time-in-thunder-bay-shipping-season.md) | +0.9% | -0.7% |
| WHEAT | 2024-03-25 | [Work stoppage begins at Canadian railroads \| Latest Market News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/31235-work-stoppage-begins-at-canadian-railroads-latest-market-news.md) | -0.6% | +1.9% |
| WHEAT | 2022-05-25 | [How can Ukraine export its harvest to the world?](https://feedsoft.ai/events/14487-how-can-ukraine-export-its-harvest-to-the-world.md) | -1.3% | -3.0% |

## Sources

- abc.net.au: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-08-02/harvest-worker-shortage-threatens-bumper-crop/100327190

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.