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Article: Having survived Hugo, Puerto Rico now fights roya. (leaf disease)
- Article from:
- Tea & Coffee Trade Journal
- Article date:
- September 1, 1990
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1990 Lockwood Trade Journal Co., Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Having survived Hugo, Puerto Rico now fights roya
One year after Hurricane Hugo laced into Puerto Rico, leaving thousands homeless and ruining 20% of the coffee crop, island coffee producers are facing a new enemy: "la roya."
Nevertheless, the Puerto Rican coffee industry is striving to become self-sufficient, and for the second year in a row is exporting gourmet-quality coffee beans to Japan.
Jose R. Irizarry, president of the 100-member Federacion de Productores de Cafe de Lares, warned it won't be easy.
"The main threat to the coffee industry is roya disease. We haven't been able to control it," he said, estimating that at least ...