Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru, has called on farmers to exercise caution when conducting business involving exports.
The reaction came after farmers were inconvenienced by an alleged dispute between the Morobe Shipping Services and operators of shipping vessel, Lady Zeming.
9,000 bags of coffee were left stranded out at sea with no clear explanation given, as to why there was a delay.
Coffee and cocoa farmers from Wasu in Tewai-Siasi District, yesterday raised concerns over the shipment delay of their products which were still out at sea.
Coffee farmer, Molock Terry, from Unen Choit Cooperatives, said the farmers were unable to unload their bags of coffee and cocoa on time, due to the confusion on the whereabouts of the ship.
Morobe Coast Shipping Services raised an invoice to Unen Choit Cooperatives, and directed the freight payment to be made into a separate account of Daniel Properties, and not Morobe Coast Shipping.
A payment was made to this account by Unen Choit Cooperatives.
Morobe Shipping Services manages the vessel, but what has become apparent is the confusion related to where freight money should be paid and who should receive the payments.
The Provincial Farmer Training Extension Coordinator, Karl Aglai, confirmed the delay to the bags of coffee and cocoa.
Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru, has meanwhile called on farmers to exercise caution when dealing with exports.
The coffee bags have been unloaded by PNG Ports and the farmers have loaded them into containers, prepared for milling.
Unen Choit Cooperatives coffee will be part of the Coffee Cupping Competition this month.
This episode has affected the export schedules kept by overseas buyers.
