Fruit and Vegetable Picker

Picking starts at 06:00 while it is still cool and ends by 14:00, with a longer break in the hottest hours when the weather demands it. You pick into a crate, cut the mandarin with scissors so the stem stays short, and sort out split, marked or unripe fruit before the crate is stacked on the trailer. In the pepper and tomato rows you follow the row leader and keep the plastic tie on the stake. Crates are counted at the end of the row and your name goes on the tally sheet, which is how the harvest bonus is calculated. Rain days are made up on Saturday.

No school requirement and no previous farm work needed

Physical fitness for bending, reaching and standing on a low ladder

Working in heat, with shade, water and a fixed rest schedule

Careful hands, since bruised fruit is downgraded at the packing house

Willing to stay for the whole season from August to November

Basic English or the local language for the row leader

Valid papers for a registered seasonal contract

Net salary from 680 up to 748 EUR per month

Registered seasonal contract with health insurance for the season

Harvest bonus paid on the crate tally above the daily norm

Accommodation on the farm with a kitchen, free of charge

Two meals a day during the picking season

Transport from Ulcinj and Vladimir every morning

Gloves, sun hat, scissors and crates provided

Pickers who finish a full season are called first the next year and some take the row leader place, which is paid better and lasts longer. The farm also keeps two people through the winter for pruning.

Open field and orchard work under a strong sun, with shade tents at the end of the rows, drinking water in the field and a toilet and washing point at the packing shed. Gloves and a hat are supplied and the rest schedule is fixed.