Horticulture and poultry seasonal worker numbers held for 2027
© Tim Scrivener British fruit, vegetable, and poultry producers have secured a vital window for forward planning after the UK government finalised the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) allocations for 2027.
Following intensive lobbying by the NFU and industry partners, the Home Office has confirmed that next year’s caps will remain steady at 41,000 visas for the horticulture sector and 1,900 for seasonal poultry workers.
The announcement, delivered in late August, represents the earliest official confirmation the agricultural industry has received to date. Growers have historically faced anxious waits late into the autumn for final caps, complicating recruitment and crop planning.
See also: Seasonal worker quotas set for 2026 after NFU lobbying
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board chairman Martin Emmett welcomed the decision to maintain the 41,000-visa cap, matching the level set for 2026.
“This outcome provides growers with greater certainty as they plan for the future,” he said. “Seasonal workers remain essential to harvesting crops efficiently and preventing valuable produce from being left in the field.”
The UK government has committed to continuing the SWS, giving the industry more certainty over its future.
However, agricultural leaders stress that the battle for stability is ongoing. The NFU continues to press Whitehall for multi-year allocations rather than annual renewals, arguing that long-term certainty is vital for sustained investment in domestic food security.
Poultry sector approval
The seasonal poultry sector has similarly welcomed its dedicated 1,900-worker allocation, which provides crucial labour ahead of the Christmas processing peak. This includes roles such as poultry processors, butchers, pluckers, catchers/handlers and packers.
Jonathan Smith, chairman of the NFU Seasonal Poultry Group, noted that temporary workers remain non-negotiable for festive supply chains, but urged authorities to tackle growing overheads.
“We also urge the government and labour scheme providers to keep under review the costs associated to the visa scheme, as these can prohibit uptake for some seasonal businesses,” he said.
Horticultural workers can work in the UK for up to six months, while poultry workers can work between 2 October and 31 December.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
