H-2A program trends vary by crop type. For example, since 2010, H-2A employment growth has been particularly strong in vegetables and fruit and tree nuts (see Figure 17). The reason for this is that fresh fruit and vegetables are among the most labor- intensive segments, as the majority of planting, harvesting and packing is done manually due to
the stringent quality requirements for fresh produce. There is scope for further demand for H-2A workers from other labor-intensive industries, such as dairy cattle and milk production. However, these don’t fully qualify for the H-2A program because many of their job requirements are year-round rather than temporary or seasonal.
GROWTH IN H-2A WORKER CERTIFICATIONS IS FUELED BY THE FRESH VEGETABLE, FRUIT AND NUT SECTORS H-2A certified workers by farm sector, 2010 - 2019 [number of certified workers; %]
CAGR 2010-2019 [%]
Certified Workers
300,000
5%
Animal Products Nursery and greenhouse
+9% +9%
250,000
4%
8%
8%
+8%
Field Crops
+14%
200,000
4%
6% 20% 20%
4%
7% 21%
150,000
5%
Fruit and Tree Nuts
+18%
6%
34% 33%
23%
6%
7%
34%
27%
7%
100,000
8%
8%
30%
7%
8%
30%
8%
12%
31%
8%
32%
32%
32% 33%
30%
34% 34%
Vegetables and Melons
+17%
50,000
25% 30% 27% 24%
23% 25% 26% 26%
36% 35%
27% 30%
0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Figure 17: H-2A certified workers by farm sector Source: USDA, Roland Berger
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