Farms and food
European farms and food factories rely on seasonal workers, many of them from India. Indian food companies, in turn, are buying European machines and know-how.
From India to Europe
Agriculture in Southern and Central Europe depends on seasonal workers for harvests of fruit, vegetables and grapes. Food processing plants (meat, dairy, bakery, packaging) also hire year-round.
Italy's quotas
Italy is the clearest example. Its quota decree for 2026–2028 sets about 165,000 entries a year for non-EU workers, of which 88,000 in 2026 were seasonal places in agriculture and tourism. Employers apply on specific "click days". Indian workers, many from Punjab, have worked for decades on farms in Lazio and in the dairy sector of Lombardy. Read our seasonal work in Italy guide.
Other countries
Spain, Portugal and Poland also employ seasonal workers from outside the EU through national schemes. Sweden extended its seasonal work permit from six to nine months in June 2026.
Protect yourself
Seasonal agriculture is the sector most exposed to exploitation. Before you travel:
- make sure you have a signed contract with the farm or company, not just an agent
- know your hourly or monthly wage and the accommodation terms in writing
- keep your passport yourself
- know who to contact locally if something goes wrong
From Europe to India
India is one of the world's largest food producers and is investing heavily in processing, cold chains and food safety. European companies supply:
- food-processing machinery and packaging
- dairy and bakery technology
- seeds, plant protection and precision agriculture
- testing, certification and food-safety systems
Business opportunities
- Indian exporters of rice, spices, tea, coffee, seafood and processed food meeting EU standards
- European wine, cheese, olive oil and specialty foods entering India, with tariffs set to fall under the FTA
- Joint ventures in cold storage and agri-logistics
