Jamaica’s Imports Nearly Five Times its Exports in First Five Months of 2026

Jamaica imported nearly five times the value of goods it exported during the first five months of 2026, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin).

Between January and May, the country spent US$3,218.3 million on imports while earning US$674.7 million from exports.

The gap widened as the two sides of Jamaica’s merchandise trade moved in opposite directions compared with the same period last year.

Import expenditure increased by 1.8 per cent from US$3,161.4 million, while export earnings fell by 12.5 per cent from US$770.9 million.

Statin attributed the export decline mainly to crude materials, excluding fuels, where earnings plunged by 44.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, higher spending on several categories contributed to the increase in imports. Expenditure on capital goods excluding motor cars rose 7.4 per cent, transport equipment increased 6.6 per cent and raw materials and intermediate goods climbed 5.2 per cent.

The United States, China, Japan, Colombia and Brazil were Jamaica’s five leading sources of imports during the period. A combined US$2,153.3 million was spent on goods from those countries, 14.3 per cent above the US$1,884.6 million recorded a year earlier.

On the export side, the United States, Russia, the Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom were the five main destinations for Jamaican goods. Earnings from exports to those markets totalled US$507 million, slipping 0.5 per cent from US$509.6 million in the corresponding 2025 period.

The figures were contained in Statin’s latest International Trade Merchandise Bulletin, which was released on September 11.

Remember to share this article on Facebook and other Social Media Platforms. To submit your own articles or to advertise with us please send us an EMAIL at: [email protected]