The Swedish berry industry is facing a significant challenge this year due to a drastic reduction in the number of Thai berry pickers.

Only about 1,200 Thai workers have been granted permits to work in Sweden this season, compared to over 5,000 in previous years.

This decline is attributed to stricter regulations and increased scrutiny by the Swedish Migration Agency, which has highlighted poor working conditions, such as long hours and lack of overtime pay, as major concerns.

As a result, berry prices have surged, with hjortron and blueberries reaching their highest prices in a decade.

Local berry buyers, like Krystyna Felczak, report paying significantly more to the few pickers available, and anticipate even higher prices next year.

The situation has sparked discussions on potential legislative changes that could further restrict foreign berry pickers, potentially closing the door entirely to Thai workers in the future.