Masses of hopeful workers have already been in touch with orchardists and an agency set up to deal with seasonal workers, Seasonal Solutions, but the main cherry season is still to get under way.
"This season has been difficult in an unusual way.
For a change, we've got lots of people looking for jobs, but I guess the difficulty is the real cherry season hasn't started yet," Seasonal Solutions manager Craig Howard said.
Because of the number of people involved, about 3000, it was still a nervous time waiting to see if the labour demands could be met.
Seasonal Solutions employs about 200 Vanuatuans on Central Otago orchards, through the recognised seasonal employer scheme, which allows workers to be recruited from certain Pacific Island countries to solve labour shortages in New Zealand.
Vanuatuans have been employed on Central Otago vineyards and orchards for several years, after managers had problems finding enough pickers.
Mr Howard said the job seekers registering with Seasonal Solutions this year were a mix of overseas backpackers and New Zealand residents.
Residents were given priority for jobs.
Although Mr Howard declined to put a figure on the number of people registered, there seemed to be more than other years, he said.
His comments were echoed by orchardists and orchard managers.
Summerfruit New Zealand chairman Gary Bennetts, of Roxburgh, said the number seeking work this season was extraordinary.
"I've never had so many people looking for jobs. The numbers look fantastic but it's a bit embarrassing, too, because we haven't been able to give them work yet."
General manager of 45 South Management Ltd, Tim Jones, of Cromwell said the favourable weather conditions meant it was the "cleanest" crop of cherries for quite a few years, with no marking or splitting.
At the peak of the season, 45 South employed 250 pickers and 75 packhouse workers, and would pick 35-40 tonnes a week.
The main cherry season will finish at the end of this month.
Apricots will be harvested mostly from mid-January to mid-February, along with peaches and nectarines.
