Canco, which operates from the former Heinz ketchup plant at Leamington, is the largest processor and said it needs more this year, even though yields were high last year.
The Ontario Processing Vegetables Marketing Board estimates an additional 900 to 1,000 acres will be planted this year, requiring an increase of 10 million transplants.
The turn-around comes after the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission stepped in to stop the loss of processing companies, to dismiss the directors of the board and to install its vice-president, Elmer Buchanan, to negotiate contracts.
The board has been returned to an elected board of directors now, but the commission continues to appoint the chair.
