Jamaica Faces Food Shortages After $29.5 Billion Agricultural Disaster — Over 1.2 Million Animals Lost, 70,000 Farmers Affected

Jamaica’s agriculture sector has been dealt a crushing blow following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which caused an estimated J$29.5 billion in crop and livestock losses, forcing the government to turn abroad for food supplies. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green confirmed during a Tuesday parliamentary session that more than 70,000 farmers have been affected, with over 1.2 million animals lost across the island. The scale of destruction, he warned, threatens the nation’s food security in the coming months.

Green detailed that 41,390 hectares of farmland were impacted, including 32,400 hectares of vegetable crops, resulting in J$8.8 billion in losses. Key staples such as sweet pepper, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, melon, and cantaloupe have been severely damaged. The poultry sector—responsible for much of Jamaica’s local protein supply—was hit especially hard, with 458,000 layers and 780,000 broilers wiped out, accounting for more than half the nation’s laying flock. “Coming out of an egg production meeting, the agriculture ministry will have to take immediate action to facilitate the importation of table eggs,” Green said.

To stabilize food supply, the government has announced a J$3 billion recovery plan, including J$450 million redirected toward emergency replanting, livestock restocking, and land preparation. Support measures also include 40 million seeds distributed through RADA, free land preparation for six months, J$40 million for livestock and poultry farmers, and a moratorium on lease payments for farmers in agroparks. Meanwhile, international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have pledged initial aid of US$30,000, while United Way Jamaica launched a “Restoration and Rehabilitation Fund for Agriculture.”

The losses extend far beyond vegetables and poultry. Banana and plantain crops covering 2,450 hectares suffered J$2.9 billion in damages, while fruit trees, yams, cassava, and coffee recorded combined losses exceeding J$5.6 billion. The apiculture sector also took a hit, losing over 2,000 bee colonies, valued at J$74.5 million. Green said the Agricultural Disaster Recovery Task Force, led by Michael Pryce, has been reactivated to oversee Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts and ensure transparent, timely relief distribution.

As the government races to rebuild the sector, Jamaica’s dependence on food imports is set to increase temporarily—a sobering reminder of the island’s vulnerability to climate-driven disasters. However, Green insists the recovery plan is already in motion: “We’re focused on rebuilding stronger and faster to protect the livelihoods of our farmers and the nation’s food supply.”