While Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi continues to fight for power, on the other side of the world Ecuador's banana growers are wondering whether they will be paid for their exports to the North African nation.

Ecuador's banana industry is concerned Libya's political unrest will affect a payment due for 150,000 cartons of the fruit shipped since Jul. 2010, with a value of around US$1 million, reported news site ElUniverso.com.

Muammar al-Gaddafi

A growers association from the banana-farming area around Quevedo highlighted the debts due from state-owned Libyan group Emma for Food, the story reported.

Sofía Silva, who represents growers from associations in the areas of Los Ríos, Esmeraldas, El Oro and Cotopaxi, told El Universo farmers sold their fruit to Emma for Food through an Ecuadorian exporter called Semquel.

In October, the South American country's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Acuaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP) told farmers the payment would come in December, the story reported.

El Universo said Ecuador's politicians responsible for the issue are currently not in the country and are yet to make an official announcement on the matter.

Photo: www.correodelorinoco.gob.ve

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com