In 2024, the compensation paid to wild berry pickers rose significantly compared to previous years. The average picking price for lingonberries increased from €0.86 (2023) to €1.48 per kilogram, and for blueberries from €1.40 (2023) to €2.31 per kilogram. Photo: Hannu Huttu / Arktiset Aromit
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Domestic berry pickers in Finland collected nearly three times more wild berries for commercial sale in 2024 than in previous years, according to industry estimates.
The increase followed a sharp drop in the number of foreign pickers. Only around 800 arrived from Thailand, compared to several thousand in earlier years. They entered Finland late in the harvest season due to changes in immigration rules, missing the peak period for cloudberries and most of the blueberry season.
The change disrupted supply. Total commercial harvests fell despite a strong natural yield, with blueberry collection reaching 1.2 million kilograms, lingonberry 4 million kilograms and cloudberry 30 tonnes. Organic berry volumes were significantly smaller, with 570,000 kilograms of organic blueberries collected.
In 2024, berry picking began about two weeks earlier than usual due to a fast seasonal transition in spring. All three major wild berry species — blueberry, lingonberry and cloudberry — produced strong harvests.
The shortage of foreign labour and higher market demand pushed picker prices up. The average price per kilogram for lingonberries rose from €0.86 in 2023 to €1.48. Blueberry prices increased from €1.40 to €2.31. Cloudberries reached €10.39 per kilogram.
The increase in picker prices directly affected domestic participation. More Finns joined the commercial picking effort than in recent years.
Birgitta Partanen, Executive Director of Arktiset Aromit ry, said payment rates were a key factor in encouraging domestic harvesting.
“Price is central for increasing Finnish collection. A wide purchasing network also helps, making it easier to get berries to buyers,” she said in a statement.
Before 2024, Thai nationals picked about 80–90 percent of commercially harvested berries in Finland. In 2024, they were required to work under employment contracts following a Finnish Foreign Ministry decision. The requirement replaced visa access with a residence permit tied to employment. The policy came into effect in March, leaving businesses little time to adapt.
Due to the late arrival of foreign workers, Finnish pickers stepped in to meet the demand. For the 2025 season, the government has classified wild berry picking as seasonal work. This places the sector under the rural industries collective labour agreement.
In parallel, the so-called “berry law” still allows for organised picking by foreigners residing in Finland under other permits. These activities must be approved by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) under a reliability assessment.
Partanen said that the current season had better preparation.
“This year we’ve had more time to adjust. Now we hope authorities handle processes smoothly, and there are no surprises from Thailand,” she said.
Organic certification rules require berries to be picked in designated areas. Organised groups are more effective in meeting these requirements than individual pickers. The organic picking zone in Finland covers nearly 7 million hectares, the largest in the world.
“It’s unfortunate if our organic processors must rely on imported berries due to domestic shortfalls,” Partanen added.
A public survey on berry picking habits remains open until May Day. It is part of a broader study by the Natural Re
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
