Central Asian Workers Harvest Britain's Strawberries a Decade After Brexit

Ten years after the 2016 Brexit vote, the UK’s strawberry fields are largely tended by migrant labor. Seasonal workers now predominantly arrive from Central Asian nations such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. These workers fill roles that domestic labor pools have not replaced. British growers say the harvest depends on their presence each season. Without the influx of Central Asian pickers, many farms risk missing production targets. Agricultural leaders warn that a shortage could lead to reduced yields. The reliance highlights ongoing labor gaps in the post‑Brexit agricultural sector. Stakeholders are watching immigration policy to see if the workforce can be maintained.