A dispute over how fruits and vegetables get from farmers fields to processing plants is putting the next tomato season in Leamington in jeopardy.
Sun-Brite and Highbury Canco have yet to agree to contracts with seedling producers, the ones who get the tomatoes ready to be planted in local fields.
Highbury Canco President and CEO, Sam Diab, says the processors want to be able to deal directly with growers but the marketing board that represents growers hasn't agreed to that change.
"What we'd like to do is give individual growers the opportunity to market their tomatoes or their other vegetables directly to processors, if they choose that that's the right thing for them and their family and their business," says Diab.
Despite the dispute, Diab is confident the issue will be resolved in time to get tomatoes planted.
"I think we'll get the support that we need from the folks that need to intervene in the situation and make the situation right," says Diab. "But, if that doesn't happen that's a possibility. I mean anything is a possibility. It would be a big disappointment for us."
The clock is ticking though.
"It would be impossible to get plants in the ground in May and would likely mean the volume of tomatoes processed at Highbury Canco would be less than half of last year's total," says Diab.