Suppliers of ackee from Jamaica, as well as purchasers in the United States, indicated that there is a shortage of the national fruit on the local market, resulting in its unavailability overseas.
Canute Sadler, proprietor of Stanmark Processors Limited, one of Jamaica's largest exporters of canned ackee, said the crop was ready for reaping when Hurricane Beryl struck the island on July 3.
He said the crop, normally reaped in July and August, was wiped out.
Stanmark, which has processing factories in St Thomas, Clarendon, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth, added that the demand for ackee has taken off locally, with much more being consumed in the hotels this year.
Chairman of GraceKennedy Group, Don Wehby, also confirmed that Beryl significantly damaged the ackee crop, noting that the canned product is not expected to return to the US market until November.