Potato Picking and Grading Jobs in Ireland with Sponsorship

Potatoes are grown across Ireland throughout different seasons, making them an ideal option for backpackers and seasonal workers looking for legal employment under a Working Holiday Visa. These roles are perfect for individuals seeking to extend their holiday work visa for a second or third year while gaining valuable agricultural experience in Ireland.

Kilmore Potatoes Limited, located in County Wexford, Ireland, offers opportunities for workers to participate in potato harvesting, grading, and packing. Employees can earn a competitive salary of €22 per hour with an additional 15% PM shift loading.

Details of Potato Picking and Grading Job in Ireland:

• Title: Potato Picking and Grading Jobs in Ireland with Sponsorship
• Job Country: Ireland
• Employer’s location: Kilmore, County Wexford, Ireland.
• Employer’s name: Kilmore Potatoes Ltd.
• Industry: Agriculture/Farm Jobs
• Job Title: Potato Harvest Workers/Potato Pickers/Potato Farm Workers.
• Job type: Part-time/rotating shift basis. (Finishing time can vary).
• Experience Required: No
• Knowledge Required: Not High
• Age Limit: No
• Visa Sponsorship: Varies from one employer to another.
• Valid visa types: 2nd and 3rd year working holiday visa, work visa, seasonal worker visa, student visa, and PR holders.
• Accommodation: Varies from one employer to another.
• Expected Salary: €22.00 with 15% for PM Loading.
• Expected Season: All around the year but not during extreme weather.

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Requirements:

Picking and grading potatoes as a backpacker requires physical stamina, flexibility, and attention to detail. The following are the essential prerequisites:

1. Physical Fitness

• Carrying potato bags that weigh between two and twenty kilograms requires physical strength.
• the capacity to ascend and descend ladders in order to harvest.
• The ability to work long hours in a variety of weather situations is a must.

2. Work Flexibility & Teamwork

• ready to put in extra time if necessary.
• the capacity to adjust to various timetables and working environments.
• an attitude of cooperation to work with coworkers.

3. Experience & Training

• While not required, prior experience selecting and packing potatoes is advantageous.
• Employees are trained in the picking procedure on the job site.
• Strong grading and inspection abilities are advantageous.

4. Visa & Work Eligibility

• must have a working holiday visa for the second or third year.

5. Accommodation & Transportation

• Accommodations are not provided; you must make your own arrangements.
• Since there is no public transportation in the area, one must have their own vehicle.

6. Safety & Work Attitude

• accountable for one’s personal safety while at work.
• Self-motivation and a can-do attitude are essential.

Responsibilities:

Workers who grade and pack potatoes are essential to the harvesting, sorting, and preservation of potato quality. The following are the main duties:

1. Farm Maintenance & Preparation

• To guarantee good growth, potato plants should be cultivated and pruned.
• raking old leaves, hoeing, rock picking, and weeding to keep the agricultural area clean.
• leveling the ground around plants and loosening the dirt to allow for healthy growth.
• Before and after harvesting, the farm is cleaned.

2. Harvesting & Sorting

• manually thinning apples from trees (some farms may need help with many crops).
• To preserve product quality, dispose of overripe or rotten potatoes.
• High-quality potatoes are sorted through final grading and inspection.

3. Packing & Handling

• keeping track of the supply of packaging bags and making sure there are enough bags for all the produce.
• To expedite the packing process, bags should be prepared prior to harvest.
• assuring safe transportation by handling potato bags weighing between 2 and 20 kg.
• Potatoes should be carefully packed and stacked to avoid damage.

4. Loading & Transport

• Graded potatoes are loaded into packaging bags carefully to prevent damage.
• To move goods to the packing shed, some employees might operate tractors or other farm equipment.

5. Flexibility & Work Commitment

• Must be able to return quickly for additional work if necessary.

Read Also: Unskilled Jobs in Ireland With Visa Sponsorship

Benefits:

Working as a potato picker or grader in Ireland comes with various perks, including competitive earnings, job security, and flexible work hours. Below are the primary benefits:

1. Competitive Salary & Additional Pay

• Level 1 employees receive a base hourly pay of €22.03.
• 15% loading for PM shifts, which raises total compensation.
• possibility of overtime compensation for additional hours put in.

2. Job Security & High Demand

• With several farms spread around Ireland, Kilmore Potatoes Ltd. and its affiliates provide a consistent flow of employment.
• Because of Ireland’s ideal weather and soil for potato cultivation, Wexford County and other areas have a wealth of prospects.

3. Flexible Work Schedule

• Rotating 3-week shift roster to provide variety and balance.
• AM shifts: Monday to Saturday from 5 AM.
• PM shifts: Monday to Friday from 2 PM.
• Opportunity to choose shifts and work additional hours for higher earnings.

4. Employee Leave Benefits

• Any leave benefit under Irish labor laws.
• Potential holiday benefits, annual leave, and sick leave.

Potato Harvesting Jobs:

Potato farms across Ireland hire additional workers during the busy digging and packing seasons (August to October). These jobs are physically demanding but rewarding for those willing to work outdoors.

Common tasks include:

• Hand-picking or machine-assisted harvesting of potatoes
• Packing and loading sacks or crates
• Sorting potatoes by size and quality
• Cleaning and maintaining harvesting tools

Tip: Having basic English skills and good physical fitness increases your chances of selection.

Agricultural Grading Jobs:

Agricultural grading involves assessing farm produce especially potatoes, fruits, and vegetables based on size, shape, and quality. This is a key role in the supply chain, ensuring only high-quality goods reach markets.

Job duties:

• Inspecting and grading produce
• Removing damaged or spoiled items
• Operating sorting machinery
• Following safety and hygiene protocols

Grading jobs often take place in indoor packaging facilities and may include both day and night shifts.

Manual Farm Labor Jobs:

Manual farm labor jobs are perfect for individuals without prior experience in agriculture. These roles are available on dairy farms, crop farms, and greenhouses.

Tasks typically involve:

• Weeding and planting
• Cleaning animal sheds
• Repairing fences or farm infrastructure
• Supporting harvest crews during peak times

No formal education is needed, though a willingness to learn and follow farm rules is essential.

Unskilled Farm Work Opportunities:

Ireland offers unskilled farm work across multiple sectors, including fruit, vegetable, and livestock farms. Many employers are open to hiring foreign nationals under temporary employment permits or seasonal worker schemes.

Requirements may include:

• Valid passport
• Physical stamina and endurance
• Willingness to work in rural or remote areas
• Some roles may require EU citizenship or a work visa

Fruit and Vegetable Sorting Jobs:

These jobs are typically based in agricultural warehouses and involve handling freshly harvested produce such as

• Strawberries
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Onions
• Apples and pears

Responsibilities include:

• Sorting and grading produce
• Weighing and packing into retail containers
• Quality control and removing spoiled items
• Labelling and preparing for shipment

Sorting jobs can be seasonal (spring to early autumn), and shifts are usually available both during the day and night.

Conclusion:

For backpackers and seasonal workers seeking legal employment with competitive wages and flexible work schedules, potato picking and grading jobs in Ireland offer great opportunities. These jobs are a great way to gain agricultural experience in Ireland because of their high demand, work stability, and visa sponsorship options. Apply now to get started!

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