German farmers cultivating asparagus are complaining about a shortage of seasonal workers from abroad, particularly from Poland. This is partly due to new regulations that are effectively discouraging Poles from taking up work with their western neighbor. Farmers are trying to find replacements among unemployed Germans, but they say there is little willingness to take on such physically demanding labor.
Problems for German farmers: it’s about asparagus
The German region of Beelitz has long been famous for its asparagus cultivation. Many farmers operate there, and for years they have relied on foreign workers—mainly Poles—for the harvest. This year, German farmers had expected a very good season, as the winter brought very low temperatures, which are favorable for vegetable growth. In 2025, as many as 325,000 foreign workers were employed in Germany to harvest asparagus, cucumbers, and grapes.
However, everything changed with the introduction of new regulations. These stipulate that farmers may employ only 80 percent of that number. That’s not all—the law also requires that at least one-tenth of workers must be of German origin.
Additionally, the new rules require Poles who decide to take up seasonal work in Germany to pay social security contributions. This significantly reduces the profitability of asparagus harvesting jobs for Polish workers. The German outlet Deutschlandfunkkultur reports that farm owners in Beelitz are already struggling to bring in their crops due to the labor shortage. For years, foreign workers were responsible for harvesting asparagus, while Germans focused on sorting and selling it.
Unemployed Germans unwilling to pick asparagus
Edelgard Woythe, head of the employment agency in Potsdam, emphasized that farmers have tried to encourage unemployed Germans to take up asparagus harvesting, but it has proven to be a real challenge. She stated that “less than ten percent of unemployed Germans would be capable of performing this kind of hard work.”
German farmers themselves admit that asparagus harvesting is extremely demanding.
Working seven days a week, 8 to 10 hours a day, in wind and rain, is not for everyone, they noted.