Wild berries · Finland · Season 2026
Yesterday, August 16
That day the average picker's berry income was
119 €/day
34.0 kg · Bilberry 3.50 €/kg
among those who delivered berries that day
Top ten
323 €/day
92.2 kg · on average per person
Day's champion
409 €/day
picker #11✕1 · 116.9 kg
Every day since August 1 — tap a day
- August 1: 124 €, 34.6 kg
- August 2: 127 €, 35.4 kg
- August 3: 127 €, 35.3 kg
- August 4: 111 €, 31.0 kg
- August 5: 126 €, 35.0 kg
- August 6: 123 €, 34.1 kg
- August 7: 120 €, 34.2 kg
- August 8: 124 €, 35.3 kg
- August 9: 115 €, 33.0 kg
- August 10: 101 €, 28.9 kg
- August 11: 124 €, 35.5 kg
- August 12: 129 €, 36.9 kg
- August 13: 119 €, 33.9 kg
- August 14: 119 €, 34.1 kg
- August 15: 121 €, 34.6 kg
- August 16: 119 €, 34.0 kg
More than 400 people have picked with us since the season started — some arrive, some leave.
Reception scales in the camps. Updated every morning.
Income is not guaranteed. It depends on delivered berries, berry quality, purchase prices, weather, harvest situation, region and individual picking.
Nothing to pay up front
You pay nothing up front. The €84 deposit is withheld from your first berry payment and returned when you leave. A place costs €12 per night — housing and a seat in a crew car with a trailer are included. Fuel for the trips to the forest is not included in that price: the pickers who ride together share it between themselves.
This is how it works for bookings from August 17. Anyone who booked earlier paid the deposit by bank transfer, as before.
A newcomer's first week
On average a newcomer delivers 19.8 kg on the first picking day, 27.7 kg on the third and 30.8 kg on the eighth. Everyone is different — these are averages from our reception, not a promise.
Is it too late to come?
One picker first went out on August 4. 12 picking days later, the berries delivered came to 2579 € before the place fee. Bilberry lasts until early September, then lingonberry begins: it pays less per kilo, but it is easier to pick and you gather much more. Forecasts for this year promise a strong lingonberry season.
This works for many people
Every 4th picker with us is a woman. Women deliver 107 € worth of berries on an average day, and the best women's day of the season was 399 €.
Season champions
| 1 | #5✕0 | 26 days | 1990 kg | 6839 € |
| 2 | #5✕4 | 20 days | 1546 kg | 5479 € |
| 3 | #8✕6 | 26 days | 1530 kg | 5259 € |
| 4 | #6✕0 | 27 days | 1523 kg | 5195 € |
| 5 | #10✕0 | 24 days | 1432 kg | 4905 € |
Season totals. The table changes every day.
Full season statistics →How your place is booked
You book your own place in one sitting.
Create your account
Register and get your Picker ID. Fill in your details and upload the documents that show your own legal right to be in Finland.
Confirm you're eligible
A quick automatic check on the details you enter — that you have your own right to be in Finland for the dates you choose.
Choose an open camp
Pick from the camps with places open right now.
Confirm your deposit — nothing to pay up front
You don't transfer any money. The €84 deposit is withheld from your first berry payment and returned when you leave. A place costs €12 a night, counted from your arrival to your check-out.
Camp areas across Finland
Gene-Works plans several camp areas for the 2026 season. Final camp availability depends on dates, berry situation and available places.
Our strength is a wide camp network across Finland and the possibility to move between camps during the season if there are available places.
What every camp includes
Every Gene-Works camp provides a sleeping place, shared kitchen, shower, toilet and hot water. Room occupancy depends on the camp and may be from 2 to 8 people per room. Exact room conditions cannot be chosen in the application.
Want details about a specific camp? Message us on WhatsApp. +358 400 901 467
Who this is for
People who can legally stay in Finland
You must have your own legal basis to stay in Finland and collect natural products. Gene-Works checks documents but does not arrange entry permits.
Experienced and first-time pickers
You can apply even if you are new to berry picking. If you have previous experience in Finland, tell us in the application.
People ready for simple camp life
Camp life is practical and shared. Rooms, kitchen, shower and toilet facilities depend on the camp.
Frequent questions
What do I need to come?
Your own legal right to be in Finland, an ID document and warm clothes. We do not arrange visas or permits. Registration takes one sitting on this site.
What does €12 per night include?
A bed in the camp, a kitchen, a seat in a crew car with a trailer, and berry reception in the camp itself every evening. Fuel is not included in the €12: the pickers who ride together share it between themselves.
When do I get the money?
Berry money goes to your bank account. By the contract we pay within 21 days, in practice never later than 14, and usually the money is on the account within 7–10 days. Every delivery is weighed in front of you and appears in your cabinet the same evening.
What if I pick very little?
Income is not guaranteed — it depends on the berries you deliver. The first days are slower for everyone. You may leave whenever you decide.
Can we come together?
Yes — many pick in pairs and in families.
What language is everything in?
The working language is English. If you do not speak English, some camps have a manager who also speaks Russian or Ukrainian — ask about that camp on our WhatsApp number +358 400 901 467 before you book.
What else will I spend money on?
Fuel for the trips to the forest is shared between the pickers who ride together — we do not pay for it. Food you buy and cook yourself in the camp kitchen. A picking rake costs €54 and is taken from your first berry payment, not paid in advance.
What should I bring?
Bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket), your own plate, cup, cutlery and a pot or pan, forest clothing and rubber boots, mosquito repellent, personal medication, a phone and a charger. Bring enough money for the first couple of weeks as well: the first berry payment arrives within 14 days, not on the first day.
I started booking and there are no places in any camp. What now?
Write to us on WhatsApp +358 400 901 467. People leave all the time and the system does not always catch up straight away, so places open up. We will try to find one for you.
Who lives in the camp?
Our camps are multinational: people from different countries, languages and faiths live and pick side by side. Respect for each other is a condition of staying with us. We have zero tolerance for racism and for insults based on nationality — by coming, you agree to treat your neighbours with respect regardless of their country, skin colour or language.
Do women and men live separately?
Yes. Women are always accommodated separately from men.
The harvest
The exact harvest timing depends on the weather, berry, region and season.
Bilberry
Late July – September
Lingonberry
August – October
Cloudberry
July – early August
Operator for season 2026
Gene-Works Oy has received a positive KEHA Centre reliability decision for the 2026 season.
No visa service
Pickers must have their own legal right to stay in Finland. Gene-Works does not arrange visas, residence permits or work permits.
Independent gatherers
Pickers are not employees. They collect berries independently and sell the berries they deliver.
No recruitment fees
Gene-Works does not charge any recruitment fees to pickers.
Your conditions, in full and up front
Everything about your place is written out before you book. Please read it carefully.
Picker rights and transparent conditions
- Gene-Works does not charge recruitment fees.
- Pickers choose when they pick and may leave when they decide.
- Income is not guaranteed. It depends on delivered berries, berry quality, purchase prices, weather, harvest situation, region and individual picking.
- Gene-Works expects respectful behaviour and equal treatment for all pickers.
- Gene-Works provides practical information about berry picking, camp conditions, Everyman's Rights and safety before or during the season.
- If a picker has concerns about safety, accommodation or rights, they can contact Gene-Works and the relevant Finnish authorities.
Independent gatherers, not employees
Gene-Works Oy operates under the Finnish natural-products gathering law (487/2021). Pickers work as independent gatherers and sell the berries they collect. This platform is for people who already have their own legal right to stay in Finland and collect natural products — Gene-Works does not arrange visas, residence permits or work permits.
Unless a separate written employment relationship is agreed, this is not employment and there are no guaranteed working hours or guaranteed income.
Documents you may need
To review your application, Gene-Works may ask for documents such as a passport or EU ID card, residence permit, visa or another document proving your legal basis to stay in Finland. The exact document list depends on your citizenship and legal basis.
Documents are uploaded securely in your application and are used only for application review and legal compliance. They may be shown to Finnish supervisory authorities if legally required.
Questions?
Write to us on WhatsApp if you have questions about camps, arrival, accommodation options or the application.