Fruit Picker jobs in the United Kingdom (Seasonal)
Target-based outdoor harvesting (often soft fruit or orchard work). Expect repetitive movement, quality grading, and fast pace on peak weeks.
Pay guidance (gross, UK)
Fruit picking is commonly paid as hourly pay at the legal baseline, sometimes combined with piece-rate or productivity bonus. Actual earnings depend on crop, weather, site organisation, and your speed/quality.
| Item | Typical value (gross) | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly baseline (age 21+) | £12.21/hour | Common advertised rate for seasonal/soft-fruit picker roles (current baseline). |
| From 1 Apr 2026 (published) | £12.71/hour | New published NLW (age 21+). Farms typically update contracts/payroll around this date. |
| Example week | 40h × £12.21 = £488.40 | Gross example (before tax/NI and any deductions). |
| Peak week example | 48h × £12.21 = £586.08 | 48h is a common “threshold” mentioned for overtime offers on some farms. |
| Overtime (where offered) | e.g., £15.26/hour after 48h | Example from a UK fruit farm operator; overtime terms vary by employer and season. |
| Accommodation (if provided) | Offset value may apply | Many seasonal roles offer accommodation; deductions/offset rules can affect minimum-wage calculations. |
Working conditions (what changes your earnings)
Harvest rhythm: earnings typically rise when the crop is dense and the picking route is efficient. When fruit is sparse, moving time increases and output drops.
- Dense crop: easier to hit target → higher bonus likelihood.
- Rain/heat: breaks, slower handling, more rejects.
- Quality rules: bruising/green fruit can reduce accepted volume.
What “good week” means on farms: not only speed—also consistency. Managers reward stable output and low reject rate.
- Arrive early and prepared (PPE, hydration, gloves).
- Keep trays/containers uniform; avoid overfilling.
- Communicate issues (missing pallets, blocked rows) quickly.
Field + packhouse rotation: many sites move workers between outdoor picking and packhouse tasks to stabilise throughput.
- Picking: speed + careful handling.
- Packhouse: grading, packing, labelling, pallet prep.
- Shift changes: crop and weather drive the plan.
UK work-time basics (practical)
- Rest break: at least 20 minutes if you work more than 6 hours/day (timing depends on the site plan).
- 48-hour average: UK rules cap average weekly hours unless a worker opts out (adult workers).
- Payslips: expect tax/NI deductions; keep payslips and track hours/bonuses.
Typical responsibilities (role-specific)
- Pick fruit to a defined quality standard (size, ripeness, handling rules).
- Hit daily productivity targets measured by trays/kg/rows (site dependent).
- Sort out obvious defects and report crop issues to the team lead.
- Use simple scanning/ticket systems if the farm tracks output digitally.
- Keep field lanes and work areas tidy and safe (trip hazards, pallets, crates).
- Attend the start briefing (field allocation, safety notes, target rules).
- Harvest and place fruit correctly (container fill line, no damage).
- Move full containers to the collection point as instructed.
- Record output (labels/scans) and resolve discrepancies early.
- End-of-day tidy-down and tool return/check.
Many farms run a simple “flow”:
- Pick: steady pace, careful hands.
- Check: supervisors verify quality; rejects happen.
- Move: crates/trays to collection points (manual handling rules).
- Record: output is logged (paper or scanner).
- Reset: new row/section; repeat.
“A day on site” (realistic)
- Start: briefing, row allocation, target and quality reminders.
- Work blocks: harvesting + short micro-pauses; longer break planned by site.
- Midday shift: weather changes can switch you to a different crop/task.
- End: output verification, tidy area, prepare for next day.
What MaViAl provides
- Role matching based on your CV and current UK demand.
- Clear application steps and communication support.
- Expectation setting: duties, pace, and candidate fit before moving forward.
Requirements (detailed)
- CV in English: mandatory (no CV — no consideration).
- Physical readiness: 8+ hours standing/walking; repetitive bending and carrying light loads.
- Hands and pace: careful handling + speed; bruising reduces accepted output.
- Reliability: early starts, consistent attendance, and readiness for 6-day schedules on peak weeks.
- Basic English: enough for safety instructions, row allocation, and reporting issues.
- Safety discipline: PPE use, hydration, sun/rain readiness, and manual handling rules.
- Rule acceptance: targets and quality rules are enforced; repeated underperformance can end assignments.
Short candidate portrait
The best-fit candidate is not “the strongest”, but the most consistent: steady pace, good hands, and predictable attendance.
- You will thrive if: you enjoy active work, accept targets, and can repeat the same motion for hours.
- You may struggle if: you dislike weather exposure or need frequent unscheduled breaks.
- Your edge: accuracy + speed + calm focus under time pressure.
- Mindset: “quality first, then speed”.
- Routine: sleep and hydration are performance tools.
- Team behaviour: follow the lane rules; avoid bottlenecks.
- Best background: any role with shift work and output targets.
- Best habit: keep your workflow tidy (containers, labels, counts).
- Best indicator: you can work fast without damaging product.
Practical checklist (bring/prepare)
- Work gloves (2 pairs), waterproof jacket, and layered clothing.
- Comfortable boots with grip; spare socks.
- Water bottle + simple snacks; sun protection.
- Phone power bank (sites can be large; long days).
- Waterproof outer layer + hat.
- Boots with ankle support.
- Gloves suitable for wet handling.
- Basic personal first aid items (plasters, blister care).
- Weather kit: rain + sun (both can happen in one week).
- Comfort kit: blister care, spare gloves, hydration salts (optional).
- Documents: keep copies of IDs/visa docs if applicable.
- Money planning: first payroll can take time; budget for initial week.
FAQ (UK Fruit Picker)
Is this role hourly pay or piece-rate?
Both exist. Many farms combine an hourly baseline with bonus/piece-rate. Output systems still need to comply with UK minimum-wage rules.
What gross pay should I expect?
Most seasonal picker ads start around the UK legal baseline (gross). Peak-week earnings can rise with targets/bonus and overtime where offered.
Do I need experience?
Often no. Sites train picking technique and quality rules. What matters is speed with careful handling and reliable attendance.
How many hours per week is typical?
Seasonal work varies by crop and weather. Many farms run longer weeks during peak harvest and reduce hours when volume drops.
Is accommodation available?
Many farms offer it, but conditions and deductions vary. Always budget conservatively for the first week.
Why do you require a CV?
UK employers and scheme operators typically screen candidates based on reliability, work history, and readiness for target-based shift work.
What does “target-based” mean in fruit picking?
Your output is measured (kg/trays/rows). Sites set daily targets; consistent underperformance can end assignments quickly.
Is there overtime?
Some farms offer overtime after a weekly threshold (commonly referenced around 48 hours). Overtime rate and availability depend on employer and season.
What English level is required?
Basic workplace English for safety briefings, row allocation, and reporting issues. Fluency is not always required, but safety communication is.
What tasks besides picking can happen?
Sorting, grading, packhouse packing, label checks, crate/pallet handling, and field set-up. Rotation is common on large sites.
What is the biggest reason candidates fail?
Not the physical work—usually inconsistency: late starts, irregular attendance, or ignoring quality rules under pressure.
How do I apply through MaViAl?
Upload/build your CV first. MaViAl screens and matches you to current UK demand and site requirements.
Is this work indoors or outdoors?
Often outdoors (fields/orchards). Some sites use tunnels or rotate staff into packhouse tasks depending on weather and volume.
How is quality checked?
Supervisors sample trays/containers. Common issues are bruising, underripe fruit, overfilling, and contamination (leaves/stems).
What should I highlight on my CV?
Shift reliability, output targets (pick/pack rates), physically active roles, and any farming/warehouse/production experience.
Can I apply as a non-UK candidate?
Yes, but you must have the right to work in the UK or be eligible for roles where sponsorship/seasonal route is possible (employer dependent).
Do breaks exist on long shifts?
Sites plan breaks. UK rules include an uninterrupted rest break when working more than 6 hours/day.
What is the fastest route to a higher week’s pay?
Learn the picking technique quickly, reduce rejects, keep a steady rhythm, and avoid “stop-start” working patterns.
Related roles in Agriculture
- Seasonal Farm Worker (Entry, Low sponsorship)
- Packhouse Operative (Entry, Low sponsorship)