Fresh Demand For Workers: Seasonal Roles Drive Job Market Gains As Wages Climb

The UK job market recorded its second consecutive month of year-on-year growth in April, driven by a surge in seasonal vacancies across retail, logistics, and hospitality — sectors closely tied to the fresh produce supply chain.

New data from job search engine Adzuna shows advertised vacancies rose by 0.45% in April 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with more than one million live roles listed. This modest but significant uptick marks a continued recovery in the employment market after months of stagnation.

Crucially for the fresh produce and foodservice industries, seasonal hiring has played a pivotal role in this growth. The number of part-time and temporary roles jumped by 10.6% year-on-year in April, signalling heightened demand for additional workforce support ahead of the busy summer trading period.

Retail was among the fastest-growing categories, with job listings climbing 3.5% month-on-month. Logistics and warehousing roles, essential to the smooth movement of fresh produce and other perishables, also saw a boost, as companies prepared for increased seasonal volumes.

Commenting on the figures, Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: “It’s encouraging to see continued strength in the UK job market. Seasonal hiring is playing a big part, particularly in customer-facing and delivery-related sectors. This is good news for workers and employers alike.”

Salaries continue to surge, too. The average advertised salary now sits at £38,776 — up 2.3% year-on-year. Sectors such as manufacturing, hospitality, and transport saw the sharpest wage increases, driven by fierce competition for skilled and available workers.

London remains the highest-paying region, with average salaries of £44,430, followed by South East England at £40,360. The regions with the biggest year-on-year job growth were Wales (+5.3%), East Midlands (+3.2%), and North West England (+2.8%).

Despite the positive headline figures, Hunter cautioned that growth may remain fragile: “While job vacancies are rising and salaries remain strong, the labour market is still susceptible to macroeconomic pressures. Employers must plan carefully, especially those reliant on seasonal cycles.”

For the fresh produce sector, which leans heavily on seasonal and part-time labour for harvesting, packing, and retail distribution, the data suggests increasing urgency to secure talent early — or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive market.