Agricultural Sector Showing Resilience

  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, noted that Jamaica’s agricultural sector continues to show resilience, despite experiencing setbacks. Speaking at the Jamaica Agri-Business Investment Forum (JAIF) 2025, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, Mr Green said, despite the shocks, the sector has maintained growth.
  • He pointed to major projects being advanced by the Government, including the Pedro Plains Irrigation Expansion Project and the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project. These projects represent a major advancement in irrigation and food security and could open thousands of hectares of land for increased productivity.
  • Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, also underscored the importance of increasing investment in agriculture and pointed to Jamaica’s strong economic position as a key factor in attracting investors. “When you look at Jamaica, the fundamentals are strong. We have a stable economy, we have the rule of law, and we have the resilience of our people. Agriculture must be a part of that investment conversation,” he underscored.
  • Agriculture will likely contribute to Jamaica’s economic growth, as it is a primary contributor to the country’s exports. Both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) anticipate that economic growth for 2025 and into 2026 will be driven by a rebound in the agricultural industry, supported by the full recovery of crop production from adverse weather conditions in 2024, along with improvements in other sectors[1].
  • That said, the industry remains vulnerable to weather-related risks and the broader impact of climate change on domestic crop production. These risks further emphasise the need for greater investments in the sector to enhance resilience and improve productivity.

(Sources: JIS, STATIN, NCBCM Research)

 

[1] After facing Hurricane Beryl-related setbacks in Q3 2024 (-4.0%), the value added to the economy by the agriculture and fishing industries grew by 7.8% and 2.2% for Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, respectively. Furthermore,