Despite increasing beneficiary numbers in the Western Bay, the kiwifruit industry is expecting to face a shortage of seasonal workers as the crops recover from the outbreak of PSA.
Yesterday's Bay of Plenty Times reported there were almost 4000 more people on benefits in Tauranga and the Western Bay in December than in September last year.
A Ministry of Social Development spokeswoman said the number of people on Jobseeker Support typically increases in the December quarter.
"Generally, more people come onto benefit when university and other courses finish at the end of the year and fewer go off benefit into work at that time as companies often delay hiring new staff until the new year.
"Jobseeker numbers are expected to reduce over the next few months, which will be reflected in the next quarterly figures."