The Chilean government has come under fire as a group of fruit exporters have come together to sue the state.

The 126-strong group of fruit exporters claim they were overcharged for inspections and other services and a ruling is expected in November on the lawsuit, according to the El Mercurio newspaper.

The group hopes to gain $108 million (£66m) in damages for inspection and certification services which they claim they were charged too much for by the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service.

Shippers have complained they have had to pay costs not directly related to inspection and certification services since the service was set up in 1990.

Dole Chile ($4.7m), Unifrutti ($3.6m), Del Monte ($3.3m) and David Del Curto ($3.2m) are likely to be among the big export winners if the lawsuit is successful.

Ronald Bown, chairman of the Santiago-based Chilean Association of Exporters, successfully complained to Chile's Comptroller General about the issues in 2007 and the money sought applies to the period before that point.

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