2026 FGN Labor Survey: Growers turn to H-2A, automation to fill workforce gaps
A deep dive into grower-sourced data reveals labor shortages and major cost increases, H-2A program dependence and automation upside.
Key takeaways
- Nearly half of surveyed growers reported labor shortages during the 2025 season.
- Labor costs increased or remained the same for 96% of respondents.
- Forty-one percent of respondents used H-2A workers in 2025.
- Mexico accounted for an estimated 81% of H-2A workers among survey respondents.
- Harvest automation ranked as the highest-priority technology investment.
- Most growers remain highly concerned about labor availability over the next three to five years.
U.S. fruit, vegetable and organic growers continue to grapple with escalating labor challenges, and rising labor costs present as an even greater concern than worker availability itself, according to findings from the 2026 Specialty Ag Labor Survey.
The survey, which gathered responses from nearly 200 specialty crop producers from across the U.S. and Canada, captures a snapshot in time of an industry navigating persistent workforce shortages, escalating wage pressure and increasing reliance on both H-2A labor and automation at the farmgate. Breaking down the demographics further, fruit growers represented the largest share of respondents (76%), making this year’s survey results particularly relevant to several labor-intensive specialty crop sectors like apples, cherries, berries, grapes and stone fruit production. Vegetable growers made up 52% of total responses.
Diving into the 2026 data
This year’s most significant finding is the widespread labor strain growers experienced during the 2025 season. Approximately 48% of respondents reported either slight or significant labor shortages, while only 4% said they had more workers than needed. At the same time, an estimated 96% of growers said their labor costs either increased or stayed the same during the year, with 41% reporting significant increases.
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The latest data seems to suggest that farm worker labor rate inflation is almost universal throughout specialty agriculture.
When asked to identify the biggest labor-related challenges they faced in 2025, growers naturally pointed to labor costs first, followed by 24% saying they experienced difficulties securing enough reliable workers. Other farmer concerns included overall H-2A program complexities (10%) and immigration policy uncertainty (8%), while housing requirements and worker retention were cited by less than 2% of participants.
Positive progress, challenges remain
While labor shortages remain a nagging annoyance for many growers, the survey also discovered that most farms managed to avoid catastrophic crop losses in 2025. Roughly two-thirds (65%) of respondents reported losing 10% or less of harvestable crops due to labor scarcity. However, moderate losses appear to be somewhat common, with 21% saying they lost 11 to 20% of crops due to labor constraints. This shows labor headaches continue to bog down individual farm harvest efficiencies and profitability across the continent.
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Looking at the data, it appears growers remain deeply concerned about workforce availability. Approximately 65% to 70% of respondents reported being either very concerned or extremely concerned about labor availability in the next three to five years. Those concerns are fueled by ongoing workforce shortages, uncertainty surrounding federal immigration policies and increasing regulatory requirements.
The survey also shows the growing importance of the H-2A guest worker program. About 41% of respondents reported using H-2A workers during 2025, while a sliver of growers indicated they had used the program in previous years but did not in 2025 (3%). Among current H-2A users, 75% say their operation relies on outside firms to manage program administration, highlighting the complexity of the program’s compliance and documentation demands.
Several labor management companies — among them 2026 survey sponsor másLabor — were mentioned in open responses, reflecting a growing need for outsourcing H-2A administration. Survey participants also expressed interest in additional labor support services, with over half indicating they would consider outsourcing H-2A management in the future.
Where in the world do H-2A workers come from?
The 2026 survey is the first time we asked farm owners and managers which country the H-2A workers on their farm originate from.
Looking at the data, Mexico remains the dominant source of H-2A workers, accounting for an estimated 81% of guest farmworkers among survey respondents. Smaller numbers of workers originate from Guatemala (9%), Jamaica (15%), Honduras (1%), South Africa (7%) and several Caribbean and Central American nations.
Which factors complicate H-2A and where does tech fit in?
Growers voiced several concerns about the long-term affordability of the program. Respondents pointed to escalating Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) requirements, housing obligations and administrative burdens as legitimate factors threatening the sustainability of H-2A program participation for some farms. Several growers indicated that future wage and ancillary cost increases (like housing, food and transportation costs) could force them to reduce overall reliance on the program or cease participation altogether.
Saddled with continuously rising labor costs and uncertainty around workforce availability, 29% of growers say they are turning to automation technologies where possible. The survey found that harvesting technology represents the highest-priority investment area (51%), followed by irrigation management (36%), packing (23%), spraying (34%), weeding (23%) and grading (19%) systems.
Automation tech adoption will soon accelerate significantly, as roughly 49% of respondents said they already have automation technologies or plan to adopt them within the next one to five years.
In addition to automation, growers are pursuing several other strategies to cope with labor challenges. Many reported performing more work themselves (39%), hiring interns or local seasonal employees (29%) or reducing acreage (29%). Some respondents indicated they are reconfiguring orchards and production systems to accommodate automated planting, spraying and harvesting technologies to reduce dependence on manual labor.
The survey’s responses reveal a sector under significant economic pressure. Common themes included concerns about profitability, farmer retirement decisions, acreage reductions and the need for federal immigration reform. Many growers expressed frustration with H-2A program complexity and questioned whether current labor systems are economically sustainable over the long term.
The main take-home message is crystal clear: without improvements in worker access, increases in regulatory efficiency and adoption of labor-saving technologies, many growers believe the economic pressures facing specialty crop production will continue to hamper those just trying to produce a healthy crop.
FAQs
What were the biggest labor concerns identified in the 2026 FGN Labor Survey?
Labor costs, worker availability, H-2A complexity and immigration policy uncertainty.
How many growers used H-2A workers?
About 41% of respondents reported using H-2A workers during 2025.
Where do most H-2A workers originate?
Survey respondents indicated Mexico is the primary source.
What automation technologies are growers prioritizing?
Harvesting technology ranked highest, followed by irrigation management and spraying systems.
Why are growers concerned about the future labor supply?
They cited workforce shortages, immigration uncertainty and increasing regulatory requirements.