The Seasonal Worker Scheme has been confirmed for 2026.
Defra has confirmed there will be 41,000 visas for horticulture workers and 1,900 for poultry workers next year.
The NFU has said it is “positive news” which has provided “certainty” for the sectors.
The new comes after a recent visit with the farming minister to an NFU member’s soft fruit farm in Kent, accompanied by NFU president Tom Bradshaw and horticulture and potatoes board chair Martin Emmett.
“Seasonal workers play a vital role in ensuring the nation’s fresh fruit and vegetables reach supermarket shelves, that British plants and flowers feature in celebrations across the country, and that turkeys remain the centrepiece of the Christmas table,” said Bradshaw. “Without them, the horticulture and seasonal poultry sectors could not function.”
Read more: Seasonal Worker scheme rules change to improve flexibility
He added that while there had been a small reduction in numbers he was “hopeful it will still be sufficient”.
The previous government had confirmed the scheme would continue to run for five years.
“Certainty is critical for these sectors, which plan in years, not months,” said Bradshaw. “Looking ahead, it’s essential that we have clarity on visa allocations through to 2029.
“The number of SWS visas needs to remain sufficient to allow our members to continue producing food, plants and flowers for the nation.”
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