Go to New Zealand and pick some apples

Labor shortages aren't unique to the U.S.. In fact other countries can lay claim to more pronounced shortages of farm workers. This link and another tells the story of the labor shortage in New Zealand. From the story in The Southland Times:

Summerfruit New Zealand chairman Basil Goodman said there were $35 million dollars of export cherries hanging on the region's trees but no one knew where to find the 3700 seasonal workers needed to pick them.

"And the situation does not look any brighter for summerfruit, apples or grapes," Mr Goodman said

TK: Now that a labor shortage has been declared in several fruit growing regions, backpackers can apply for changes in their visitor permit to allow them to do seasonal work. Even with a new government program to bring workers in form the Pacific Islands, backpackers will still be welcome to work the apple harvest in February. On a related note, here is the link to a recent USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report on New Zealand apples. A highlight about organics:

New Zealand apple exports are forecast to fall 7.6% to 270,000 tons in MY 2007/08 continuing a downward trend after reaching a peak of 364,554 tons (19.8m cartons) in MY 2003/04. Over the longer term, exports are expected to remain in a band between 215,000 to 325,000 tons (12 and 18 million cartons). Prices for the Braeburn variety, which accounts for approximately one third of total exports, deteriorated badly at the end of the season and overall pool prices paid by exporters to growers are likely to be well below the cost of production. One bright spot in the sector is organic production, which accounts for 10% of total planted area. Prices for organic apples were 2.5 times higher than for conventionally grown fruit in MY2005/06. However, margins slipped this past season as a result of increased organic production in South America. Along with organic apples, new varieties in short supply command good prices such as Jazz, Tentation, and the Pacific series.

Later.....

High prices for organic apples are a primary factor driving production. In MY2005/06, organic fruit returned between NZ $42.84 per carton (18kg) and $58.87 per carton depending on the variety compared with a range of $17.02 to $34.24 per carton for conventionally grown fruit. For the main varieties - Braeburn and Royal Gala – returns on the organic versions were 2.5 times higher than for the conventional variety per carton. On orchard operating costs are higher for organics but only on the order of 10 to 30%. On balance organic orchards in MY2005/06 were much more profitable. However, during the MY2006/07, prices for organic apples fell due largely to increased organic supplies from
South America.