Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is one the most important crops grown in the humid tropics. More than 11 million farmers, mostly smallholders with low income, grow the palm in 90 countries. More than 80% of the total world production comes from the Asia-Pacific countries, which are near neighbours of Australia. Coconut also grows well in moist tropical regions of Australia, particularly northern Queensland. Plantations have been established in the past but the palm is now mostly used for ornamental purposes. Coconut is still used as the symbol of the Australian tropics to attract tourists from around the world to come on holiday in these regions.
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