Jamaica imported nearly five times more than it exported in the Jan-May period – Statin

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica spent a total of US$3,218.3 million importing goods between January and May 2026, while earning just US$674.7 million from exports. This is according to the latest International Trade Merchandise Bulletin released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) on September 11. According to Statin, the value of imports increased by 1.8 per cent when compared to US$3,161.4 million earned in the corresponding 2025 period. This increase was driven by higher expenditure on raw materials/intermediate goods and capital goods (excluding motor cars) and transport equipment, which grew by 5.2 per cent, 7.4 per cent and 6.6 per cent, respectively. Total exports for the January to May 2026 period were 12.5 per cent lower than the US$770.9 million earned in the similar 2025 review period. Statin said the decrease was primarily due to a 44.3 per cent reduction in the export value of crude materials (excluding fuels). Jamaica’s five main import trading partners for the period January to May 2026 were the United States of America (USA), China, Japan, Colombia and Brazil. Expenditure on imports of goods from these countries amounted to US$2,153.3 million, reflecting an increase of 14.3 per cent compared to the US$1,884.6 million recorded in 2025. The top five destinations for Jamaica’s exports were the USA, the Russian Federation, the Netherlands, Canada and the United Kingdom. Export revenues from these countries fell by 0.5 per cent to US$507.0 million, down from US$509.6 million earned in 2025.