Puglia agricultural sector expects over 21,000 hires this autumn

Agricultural enterprises in Puglia are projected to hire 21,230 workers between September and November 2026. This represents a 7.3% increase compared to the 19,780 hires recorded during the same period in 2025.

According to an analysis by Coldiretti Puglia based on Excelsior Information System data, the surge in demand is driven by peak autumn agricultural activities, including grape harvesting, olive collection, vegetable production, and sowing. The demand is particularly concentrated in September, with a projected 27.5% year-on-year increase in hires.

Geographically, the provinces of Bari and Foggia account for the majority of this demand, with 7,250 and 7,210 projected entries respectively. Together, these two provinces represent over 68% of the regional agricultural labor demand. Companies are managing these seasonal requirements while facing challenges such as prolonged heat, irregular water availability, and high production costs.