Jamaica: Sugar Annual

Local sugar production for Jamaica is expected to continue its downward trend, reaching 29,000 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) October 2026 to September 2027 consistent with the steady decline observed in recent years. Elevated production costs, outdated equipment and lack of reliable labor have plagued the industry, undermining production capacity. In spite of years of government underinvestment, a renewed effort is underway to revitalize the industry with plans to add another facility within the next three to five years that should elevate production in the future. In the meantime, local export of raw sugar to the United States is expected to continue under the World Trade Organization (WTO) tariff-rate quota program (TRQ), while also meeting both domestic and regional demand, especially in markets where prices are favorable.