Jamaica’s cherished Christmas tradition of enjoying sorrel, a deep red, gingery drink made from the Roselle plant, faces significant challenges this year due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Farmers in the northeastern parish of St Mary report severe damage to sorrel crops, with yields expected to plummet to just 10% of normal levels. The Category 5 storm, coupled with pre-existing leaf diseases and relentless rainfall, has left many fields flattened and crops ruined. Dave Evans, a sorrel farmer from Richmond, shared that his usual harvest of 9,000 pounds has been drastically reduced, forcing him to declare a loss for the season. Comisha Campbell-Clunis, another farmer, saw her 3,500 sorrel plants dwindle to just 1,500 survivors. The scarcity is expected to drive prices up to $1,500 per pound, a steep increase from the usual $500. Veteran farmer Junior Williams, who cultivates a hardy variety of sorrel, emphasized the resilience of the crop but acknowledged that even his fields suffered damage. Across the sector, farmers are struggling to salvage what remains, but the festive season may see many Jamaican tables without the traditional sorrel drink. The Minister of Agriculture, Floyd Green, has yet to comment on the situation, leaving farmers and consumers alike uncertain about the availability of this holiday staple.