分类： business

JP Farms, a subsidiary of the Pan Jamaica Group, has reported extensive damage to its agricultural operations in St Mary, Jamaica, following the devastating winds of Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 storm, with wind speeds reaching up to 185 mph, caused an estimated near-total loss of banana and plantain crops, marking the second consecutive year that the 90-year-old farming enterprise has been severely impacted by extreme weather. Although St Mary avoided a direct hit, the prolonged high winds from the hurricane’s outer bands flattened crops still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Beryl in 2024. In response, Pan Jamaica Group has pledged immediate financial support to aid the farm’s recovery, building on a $250 million investment made in 2024 to restore operations post-Beryl. Jeffrey Hall, Vice Chairman and CEO of Pan Jamaica Group, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to Jamaica’s agricultural sector and the livelihoods of over 200 families in St Mary. Despite the challenges, JP Farms remains dedicated to retaining its workforce during the recovery period. A silver lining emerged from the disaster: an experimental plot of wind-resistant banana plants, developed in collaboration with the Bodles Agriculture Research Station, sustained significantly less damage, offering hope for future crop resilience.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — CB Foods, a leading food supplier, has revealed a significant disruption in its egg supply chain following extensive damage to its Bamboo, St Ann egg farm caused by Hurricane Melissa. The company issued a statement expressing solidarity with those affected by the storm, acknowledging the widespread challenges faced by the community and its own workforce.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the aftermath of the devastating Category Five Hurricane Melissa, InterEnergy Group has pledged to reconstruct the 52-megawatt (MW) Eight Rivers Solar Park in Westmoreland, which suffered extensive damage. The company has unveiled a detailed reconstruction strategy aimed at restoring the solar park’s energy generation capabilities, enhancing its resilience against future extreme weather events, and supporting Jamaica’s broader energy recovery efforts.

Rolando González Bunster, Chairman and CEO of InterEnergy Group, emphasized the company’s dedication to the people and communities it serves. ‘In Jamaica, we have seen remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. We are determined to support the nation’s recovery through tangible actions,’ he stated. ‘The reconstruction of the Eight Rivers Solar Park will prioritize strength, safety, and sustainability, reaffirming our commitment to Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s energy future.’

Despite the hurricane’s destructive impact, InterEnergy’s thermal power plants—Doctor Bird I and II, West Kingston Power Partners (WKPP), and Jamaica Private Power Company (JPPC)—remain operational, supplying 250 MW of uninterrupted power to the national grid. Additionally, the company is assessing its wind farm in St Elizabeth, with plans to resume operations once safety conditions are met.

As part of its humanitarian response, InterEnergy has coordinated the arrival of the International Medical Relief (IMR) team to Jamaica. IMR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical care and support to vulnerable populations globally, will offer critical assistance. The company has also cleared vital access roads in Westmoreland to facilitate the delivery of relief supplies, initiated a nationwide donation campaign, and prepared 4,000 care packages for distribution to the most affected communities in western Jamaica.

Dr. Wayne McKenzie, Country Manager of InterEnergy Jamaica, highlighted the broader mission of the recovery efforts. ‘Hurricane Melissa has left profound devastation, particularly in western Jamaica. Recovery is not just about restoring power but also restoring hope. Our teams are working tirelessly to clear access routes, organize relief logistics, and provide essential care packages to families in need. We remain steadfast in our commitment to helping Jamaica rebuild stronger,’ he said.

Jamaican Teas Limited is grappling with a significant downturn in its US market sales, a critical revenue stream for the company. CEO John Mahfood identified a ‘triple threat’ of challenges impacting consumer spending among the Caribbean Diaspora: increased tariffs, heightened immigration enforcement, and the suspension of food stamp payments. These factors have collectively dampened sales in key states like New York and Florida.

As Jamaica assesses the economic fallout from Hurricane Melissa, TransJamaican Highway Limited (TJH) has initiated discussions with the government to address the significant revenue loss incurred during a 15-day toll suspension. The suspension, mandated by Transport Minister Daryl Vaz as the hurricane approached, resulted in an estimated $3.8 million loss for TJH, based on its average daily revenue of $254,000. Despite this setback, TJH reported a 27% increase in third-quarter net profit, reaching $10.3 million, highlighting the financial impact of the temporary halt.

Jamaica’s poultry industry has incurred staggering losses estimated at $2 billion following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The storm, which struck several western parishes, resulted in the loss of over 1.2 million birds, including 780,000 broilers and 458,000 layer birds. Agriculture Minister Floyd Green described the hurricane as the most catastrophic event ever faced by the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors, despite extensive preparatory measures. The Ministry of Agriculture has swiftly transitioned into recovery mode, prioritizing livestock rehabilitation, particularly backyard poultry farming. An initial $40 million has been allocated to support small farmers with chicks, feed, and infrastructure. Additionally, the government has introduced a moratorium on lease payments for farmers within agro-parks to alleviate financial strain. Major producers Caribbean Broilers (CB) and Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) have assured consumers of stable chicken supply, leveraging their unaffected central parish operations, which account for 62% of national production. While smaller farmers in western parishes face significant challenges, industry leaders emphasize that the overall poultry supply remains secure. Recovery efforts include distributing over 400,000 baby chicks and rebuilding coops for affected farmers. Despite the setbacks, Jamaica’s poultry sector is poised for a gradual rebound, supported by coordinated relief initiatives and strategic interventions.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), headquartered in Barbados, has joined forces with RevUP Caribbean to unveil the RevUP Founders Growth and Community Support Network. This innovative digital ecosystem is poised to offer enduring support to entrepreneurs across the Caribbean, marking a significant milestone in regional economic development.