The Caribbean Is Running Out Of Coconuts
- Disease, neglect have shrunk plantations of now-trendy fruit
- Farmers struggle to meet export demand, locals go without
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At the worst possible time, the Caribbean is running short of one of its most emblematic products.
Rich-world consumers have never been keener on the coconut. Starbucks wants the tropical fruit’s milk for lattes, Rihanna promotes its water as a trendy sports drink, and the price of coconut oil has jumped more than 50 percent in the past year.