Season 2026 · Finland
Pick wild berries in the forests of Finland
Gene-Works Oy works with independent pickers who already have their own legal right to stay in Finland and collect natural products. Register, upload your documents, choose your dates and preferred camp area, and sell the berries you collect to Gene-Works.
Season 2026 · Finland · Independent gathering · Transparent camp costs
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.
Transparent costs
Camp accommodation and transport costs are shown before applying.
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.
How it works
Create your profile
Register, receive your Picker ID, fill in your details and upload the required documents.
Choose dates and option
Tell us when you plan to pick and whether you need accommodation, shared transport, or only want to sell berries.
Application review
Gene-Works reviews your application, documents and preferred area or camp. If something is missing, we will ask you to correct it.
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.
Accommodation and transport options
Camp accommodation + shared car/trailer
8 € per person per day. This includes accommodation (6 €) and a seat in a shared car with a trailer for picking trips and berry transport (2 €).
Accommodation only, own car
If you stay in Gene-Works accommodation but use your own car for picking trips, the cost is 6 € per person per day. Pickers using their own car normally pay their own fuel and car costs unless otherwise agreed with Gene-Works.
Sell berries without staying in our camp
If you live at home or arrange your own accommodation, you may still sell berries to Gene-Works by arrangement. If you need access to a car/trailer option, contact us on WhatsApp.
Separate transport options are subject to availability and separate agreement.
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.
The standard camp package is 8 € per person per day: accommodation (6 €) and a seat in a shared car with trailer for picking trips and berry transport (2 €).
If you use Gene-Works accommodation but do not need shared car/trailer transport, accommodation is 6 € per person per day.
Want details about a specific camp? Message us on WhatsApp.Special 2026 base: Huhmari
Gene-Works plans to use Huhmari as one of the special picker bases for the 2026 season.
According to owner-provided information, pickers staying in the Huhmari area last season had very strong harvest results.
These results were from a previous season and not operated by Gene-Works. Harvest results vary by year, weather, berry, region and picker. This is not an income promise or guarantee.
Deposit and berry payments
50 € deposit before arrival
Before arrival, pickers pay a 50 € deposit. The deposit is returned after the picker finishes the season and informs Gene-Works that they are leaving.
Berry payments by bank transfer
Berry payments are made to the bank account provided by the picker, normally within 14 days after berries are delivered.
Costs deducted from payable amount
If you use Gene-Works accommodation or transport, those costs are deducted from the payable amount.
Detailed payment and picker information will be provided before the season.
Picker rights and transparent conditions
- Gene-Works does not charge recruitment fees.
- Gene-Works does not keep picker passports or original personal documents.
- Pickers choose when they pick and may leave when they decide. Please inform Gene-Works before leaving so deposit return and final payment matters can be handled.
- 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.
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
Questions?
Write to us on WhatsApp if you have questions about camps, arrival, accommodation options or the application.