Are agriculture jobs in demand around the globe?

Agriculture jobs are expected to be in high demand due to the increasing world population, global food demand and growing need for food security. Jobs involved in agriculture technology and research will flourish as the sector is projected to grow to USD $18.814 trillion (AUD $29.626 trillion / CAD $26.836 trillion / GBP £14.844 trillion) by 2026. 

The following are some reasons why agriculture jobs are in high demand:

• Growing population — According to the United Nations, the world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Agriculture jobs are expected to grow by 20% as a result of this population growth. 
• Global food demand  — The world is projected to have a growing need for food due to the increasing consumption of meat and dairy products. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, total food production has to increase by 60%  by 2050. 
• Growing need for food security  In recent years, many countries around the world have experienced a severe shortage of food. 

Australia — Are agriculture jobs in demand?

The Australian agriculture industry contributes AUD $44.67 billion (CAD $40.46 billion / GBP £22.38 billion / USD $28.37 billion) through Gross Value Added (GVA) and accounts for 2.1 percent of employment in 2020 through 2021. The pandemic combined with 2020’s major bushfires certainly affected the industry. Still, global demand is expected to rise exponentially and improve the sector.

Interestingly, Australian farmers are currently facing a workforce crisis as the average age of farmers continues to increase. There is a lack of young people entering the agricultural industry, which is causing concern for the future of Australian farming. 

So, agriculture jobs in Australia are in high demand, and there are many opportunities available for those who want to pursue a career in this field — from farming and production to marketing and research. There are also many opportunities for overseas workers in the agriculture industry.  The agricultural industry is constantly changing and evolving, so it is important to have a good understanding of the latest technologies and trends. Those who are interested in working in agriculture should be innovative and hardworking, and be willing to learn new things.

Study agriculture and farming in Australia? Check out this list

Canada — Are agriculture jobs in demand?

The Canadian agricultural sector is one of the most dynamic sectors in Canada, with 2.1 million people employed in the country despite the pandemic. Agriculture and agri-food exports were worth CAD $61 billion (AUD $67 billion / GBP £34 billion / USD $43 billion) in 2020 (from Jan to Oct).

There is a high demand for agriculture jobs in Canada. The number of available jobs in the agricultural sector continues to grow, while the number of people available to fill those jobs decreases. This is due to the increasing popularity of agriculture careers, as well as the retirement of many farmers. Moreover, domestic consumer demand for organic and natural agriproducts has continued to increase.

There are a wide variety of agriculture jobs available, from farming and ranching to agri-business and food science. You can learn more about the various careers in the agriculture sector here.

Study agriculture and farming in Canada? Check out this list

New Zealand — Are agriculture jobs in demand?

The job market for those in New Zealand’s agriculture and farming sector is looking positive, with a range of new opportunities available. In 2021, its industry hired 120,300 people and there are robust opportunities for skilled workers. There are many reasons for this, including the country’s growing economy and its focus on sustainable farming practices. In terms of specific roles, there is a need for agricultural scientists, farm managers, and crop and livestock farmers. Those with experience in dairy farming or horticulture are in particular demand. 

The salaries for agriculture jobs are also relatively high, and the work is often rewarding. 

How much do jobs in agriculture pay? What are some career prospects? Find out more here.

United Kingdom (UK) — Are agriculture jobs in demand?

Agriculture has always been a key sector of the British economy.  The UK’s agricultural and seafood sector employ roughly 4 million people and contributed GBP £11.22 billion (AUD $22.39 billion / CAD $20.28 billion / USD $14.22 billion) to the domestic economy (GVA). This was an increase of nearly 9% from 2020.

As recent as late 2021, the vacancies of UK agriculture jobs rose to over 500,000. These shortages included seasonal workers, meat processors, and the workforce on pig and poultry farms. Adding to this is the rising popularity of organic farming products, the growing food industry and the effect of the pandemic lockdowns. 

Surprisingly, the rise in popularity of countryside holidays with tourists has also led to a growing demand for rural services, including agricultural jobs.

The sector in the UK is increasingly investing in agriculture technology and automation. So, skilled professionals in Agri-tech and research will be increasingly sought after.

Study agriculture and farming in the United Kingdom? Check out this list

United States (US) — Are agriculture jobs in demand?

Agriculture in the United States is a trillion-dollar industry, which contributed to UDS $1.055 trillion (AUD $1.661 trillion / CAD $1.505 trillion / GBP £0.832 trillion) to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020. The industry employed about 19.7 million people in that year amidst the pandemic. Only 2.6 million were on-farm employees.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts that agricultural and food scientist jobs will grow at 9 percent through 2030, with 4,400 openings each year. It also expects roughly 84,800 job opportunities for farmers and other agricultural managers every year through 2030 from regular churn. Similarly, 138,900 openings are expected per year till 2030 for agricultural workers.

In short, the BLS predicts a modest outlook for jobs directly related to farming, acknowledging a recovery from the pandemic decline. There is, however, great prospects for occupations relating to agriculture sciences and food processing. This means that those who want to pursue an agriculture science career should start learning now!

Study agriculture and farming in the United States? Check out this list

Bottom Line: Jobs in agriculture increasing in demand

Farming and agriculture jobs are in high demand due to the increasing population and the need for food. This is great news for people interested in agriculture as it means they have a lot of opportunities. If you want to work in the agriculture industry, now is a great time to prepare by taking farming courses (with some focus on technology and research sciences). Get some experience through apprenticeships and internships as well.

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