$20-$30 per/hour Fruit Picking Jobs in Canada: All You Need to Know!

Do you love the outdoors and spending time in nature? Are you looking for fun seasonal work that will make you money during the summer? If so, fruit picking jobs in Canada may be perfect for you! Every year, Canadians from all across the country and foreign workers flock to fruit picking farms to help harvest delicious fruit. Not only is it a great way to spend your summer days and make extra money, but it’s also a fun way to meet new people from all over the world, as many fruit picking jobs attract workers from many different countries. So if you’re looking for an exciting new adventure, consider fruit-picking jobs in Canada.

Which Fruits are Available to Pick in Canada and When?

Depending on the time of year, you can find different kinds of fruit to pick in Canada. In the spring, rhubarb and cherries are one of the first fruits to come into the season. If you’re in British Columbia, you can head to the Okanagan Valley to start cherry picking as early as May. Strawberries also start ripening in May. In July and August, most of the fresh produce kicks into gear. Summer is especially great for picking raspberries and apricots, while peaches, nectarines, and plums start to appear closer to late summer and early fall. As fall arrives, apples become the main fruit to pick. There are many different varieties of apples in Canada – from the classic Granny Smith and Gala to the more unique Honeycrisp and Fuji. Pears, pumpkins, and grapes are also in season in the fall.

What are the Benefits of Fruit Picking in Canada?

Fruit picking is a great way to earn some extra money and spend time outdoors during the summer months. The work setting is not crazy demanding, and sometimes you can often choose your own hours as long as you pick the requested amount. Plus, there’s nothing quite like eating fresh fruit that you’ve picked yourself! Another benefit is meeting new people. Together, you can explore the country and earn some money whilst on your fruit-picking adventure. Additionally, some orchards or farms offer on-site housing options so you save on your rent.

Apple Picking in Canada

Personally, we spent an amazing month apple picking at an organic apple orchard in the beautiful Okanagan region in BC. Picture an epic view of the Okanagan valley. The orchard even had a little farm with sheep and chickens. This region of Canada is popular for spectacular orchards and wineries. We loved spending our free time swimming in the lakes, exploring the area, and roaming the local farmer’s markets. We were picking mostly gala apples, and the season lasted from September until October. As an apple picker in Canada, you can earn on average CA$14 per hour. Okanagan fruit picking is plentiful. Here are some apple orchards which you can contact to inquire about picking apples in Canada:

How and Where to Find Fruit Picking Jobs in Canada?

With so many fruit farms in Canada, there’s no shortage of opportunities. But how do you go about finding a fruit-picking job? The best place to start is by searching online. There are several websites that list fruit-picking jobs in Canada, including:

Online Job Boards

You can browse online job sites such as:

• Job bank – search job listings under NOC code 85101 (Harvesting laborers)
• Indeed
• Workopolis
• Glassdoor

Contact Local Fruit Farms Canada

Another common way to find fruit-picking work is to contact local farms directly and inquire about job opportunities. Many fruit farms will list job postings on their websites, or you can give them a call to ask about seasonal positions. You can also check with your local farm gate market or fruit & veg stand, as they may have information on farm jobs in your area. Here are a few fruit farm website listings to get you started:

BC Farms

• BC Cherry Association
• Jealous Fruits Recruitment
• Carcajou Fruit
• BC Fruit Grower Association
• Old Tower Farm
• Curlew Orchard

Ontario Farms

• Barrie Hill Farms
• Dixie Orchards
• Downey’s Strawberry & Apple Farm
• Albion Orchards

Nova Scotia Farms

• Millen Farms
• Apple Lane Farm
• Dempsey Corner Orchard
• South Shore Farms
• Ocean Crisp Apples
• Vista Bella Farm

Job Resource Centers

You could also visit a job resource center in the local area. In the job resource centers, you can find all the job listings and tips on where to find a fruit-picking job in the specific local area.

How Much Do Fruit Pickers Get Paid in Canada?

In Canada, fruit pickers earn somewhere between CA$13 and CA$20 per hour. Experienced workers who can also operate the orchard or farm machinery and equipment typically can earn towards the higher end of that range. If you’re interested in fruit-picking jobs in Canada, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, most fruit-picking jobs are seasonal, so they won’t last the whole year. Secondly, you’ll need to have a valid work permit if you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. And thirdly, while wages vary depending on the farm, type of fruit, location, and the experience level of the picker, you can expect to earn minimum wage or slightly above. Fruit pickers usually get paid by an hourly rate or by the quantity of fruit being picked. If the payment is based on piecework, your salary will depend on how much fruit you pick. In other words, how much hard work you’re willing to put in directly correlates with earning potential and commissions. Each employer has to pay you at least minimum wage regardless of how much you’ve picked. You can expect a higher pay rate in BC or Ontario, while Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland) is on the lower end. It’s simply because the minimum wage is higher in these provinces.

What to Expect From Your Workday as a Fruit Picker in Canada?

The process of fruit picking generally includes walking along rows of fruit trees or vines and gently shaking or pulling the fruit from the plant. Depending on the type of fruit being picked, you may also use ladders or mechanical lift devices. Fruit picking is physically demanding. You’ll be outside in the hot sun all day, and you’ll need to be able to carry heavy boxes of fruit. Working hours can be irregular as they depend on weather and fruit maturity. At the peak of the season, the hours can be long. You may have to start early in the morning or work until night to ensure all the fruit is harvested before it spoils, including weekends. But don’t let that discourage you. We only had a few long days, so we had more than enough time to explore the area. Plus, after the harvest ended, we had money to go on a road trip along the West Coast in our van. All things considered, fruit picking can be a fun and rewarding experience if you enjoy being outdoors and working with your hands. If you’re willing to put in the hard work, you can earn some decent money fruit picking while enjoying the Canadian outdoors. Picture working on a picturesque estate winery or berry picking in a rural area.

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Fruit Picker in Canada?

Most fruit-picking jobs require workers to be able to lift at least 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and to work long hours outdoors. Fruit picking jobs are generally straightforward and often don’t require prior experience. Most farms will employ and provide on-the-job training for their harvesting. Fruit picking is physically demanding. It involves repetitive movements like bending, squatting, or climbing the ladder, so employers prefer to employ fit and healthy individuals. Apart from that, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid work permit if you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. It’s a good idea to check a job description to see if you fit the requirements.

Fruit Picker Jobs in Canada for Foreigners

If you want to work fruit-picking jobs

in Canada as a foreigner, you need to apply for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). SAWP allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers for harvesting. Eligible countries include Mexico and Caribbean countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). If you come from a country not included in SAWP, you can still get a temporary work permit for seasonal farm work, but the process is more complex. You should also check your country’s specific immigration requirements to ensure you’re eligible to work in Canada. You will likely need to get a medical exam and provide a police certificate.

Conclusion

Fruit picking is a great way to experience the Canadian outdoors while making extra money during the summer months. Whether you’re looking to spend a summer in BC’s Okanagan Valley or travel across Canada picking different types of fruit, there are plenty of opportunities for fruit picking jobs in Canada. Just be sure to do your research and plan ahead so you can make the most of your experience. Happy picking!