An agricultural specialist in the Northern Mariana Islands says a significant amount of betel nut is being imported from neighbouring islands due to low production.
Isidoro Cabrera says the production of betel nut is currently dormant in the CNMI, and says Saipan markets are having to import betel nuts from Yap and Pohnpei at a much higher price.
Mr Cabrera says bud-rot disease, a fungal infection that's prevalent in many of the territory's betel nut trees is a factor.
But he says demand for betel nuts is continuing to increase in the CNMI.