Commodity traders are eyeing good returns from the tropics

Looking for an investment idea that’s paid off handsomely in commodities markets over the past six months? Try betting on the tropics.

Tropical forest crops constitute four of the best performers among major commodity futures since early August.

Coffee has more than doubled in price

. Rubber, cocoa and palm oil are all up by more than 20 per cent over the same period. Coconut oil, though not widely traded, is also doing well: Spot prices in Amsterdam are up about 27 per cent.