Kingston, Jamaica — Fruit and vegetable shortages are looming, and condiment prices are expected to rise this week as farmers reel from damage caused by Hurricane Beryl.
Condiments in St. Elizabeth Parish, known as the breadbasket of Jamaica, are set to see the biggest price increases since the parish was one of the hardest hit by Category 4 Hurricane Beryl, which struck Jamaica on July 3.
Prices for tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, melons, cantaloupes, peppers, leeks, and other condiments are expected to soar as sellers anticipate farmers’ response to the hurricane’s devastating effects.
“At the moment, market prices are not bad. In fact, in some places prices have gone down because sellers do not want their goods to spoil. But next week, when the stock runs out, we will be in trouble,” said Jeffrey, who runs a fruit and vegetable stall at Coronation Market in downtown Kingston.
Dozens of businesses were out and about Friday, trying to clear out inventory they’d bought in the weeks before the storm.
In the days before Hurricane Beryl struck, Jamaicans flocked to supermarkets and markets to stock up on supplies. Since then, business has slowed dramatically, especially at markets and butcher shops, as disruptions to power supplies have led many families to avoid fresh food.
This has forced vendors like Martin to discard bags of spoiled produce. “We had to throw out two bags of pumpkin this morning, and that’s what it looks like now,” he said, pointing to the mushy fruit, a result of excess moisture.
Preliminary estimates from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries suggest Hurricane Beryl destroyed more than $1 billion worth of food crops and supporting infrastructure.
Agriculture Minister Floyd Green indicated there was significant damage to crops including vegetables, tubers such as yams and cassava, and fruits such as breadfruit, ackee, mangoes, and bananas, some of which were blown down by strong winds.
The livestock and fishing industries were also heavily affected by the record-breaking storm, which moved west off the southern coast of Jamaica, bringing ferocious winds and rain on its way to the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and Texas.
Greenhouse farmers in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, and St Elizabeth have been hit hard. However, hopes are growing that crops from the north of the island will not be as affected by the price fluctuations.
“Some parishes were not as badly affected by the rains so, for example, my pepper comes from St Ann. My supplier has not said anything about a price increase yet,” said Princess, a vendor at Coronation Market.
Still, the vendor expressed concern. “There’s still a valley, there’s still rain to come, and it’s hurricane season,” she noted.
Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) president Lenworth Fulton acknowledged that the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl will create food shortages and reduce Jamaica’s agro-processing and value-added production capacity in the short term. However, he said some vegetable farmers have already returned to their fields, and food products should become readily available again within the next 12 weeks.
Key Points:
- Impact of Hurricane Beryl: Significant damage to crops in St. Elizabeth Parish, leading to expected price increases for condiments.
- Current Market Prices: Some prices have temporarily decreased due to sellers clearing out inventory.
- Future Shortages: Anticipated shortages and price hikes as current stock runs out.
- Minister’s Statement: Over $1 billion worth of crops and infrastructure damaged.
- JAS President’s Outlook: Short-term shortages with expected recovery in 12 weeks.
