Frustrated horticulture growers have issued a plea to the Immigration Minister.

They are concerned Immigration New Zealand is yet to announce how many additional workers are allowed in the country to assist harvesting.

They say leaving it too late will mean crops are rotting on the ground.

Francie Perry from Perrys Berrys told Mike Hosking they need seasonal migrant workers for the casual work.

She says for 37 years they've employed locals but that's just not possible now.

"We have lost permanent staff and 250,000 strawberries were left rotting on the ground."

Unless changes were made, Ms Perry - who has had her business for 40 years - said she would be left with a tough decision.

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