Number of regular employees increases while seasonal employees remain stable compared with the five year average

The total agricultural workforce was 67,400 people in 2024. This includes 32,500 regular and seasonal employees working in agriculture, a group that has increased by 10% when compared with the five year average. The increase was driven by a rise in the number of working business partners, particularly female working family and business partners.

The number of casual and seasonal workers remained in line with the five year average, at 8,300 workers. Due to the timing of the June Agricultural Census, it may not capture all seasonal working in Scottish agriculture, particularly those involved in the harvest of soft fruits.

Non-EU workers accounted for 68% of the migrant labour person working days in 2024 whereas EU workers accounted for 32% of the migrant labour person working days total.

Figure 15: Agricultural labour by working time, 2024 and five year average (2019-2023)