Coffee industry expected to rebound despite effects of Hurricane Beryl

 

The production and exportation of coffee is expected to make a major rebound despite Hurricane Beryl and significant shortfalls from heavy rains and floods last October and November.

 

Expected yields for 2024/2025 was an estimated 250,000 boxes.

 

Based on estimates, the crop line suffered losses of up to approximately $200 million or 10 per cent and 60 per cent in infrastructural damage.

 

Major processors, including Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and Trumpet Tree coffee, all report minor structural damage to their facilities.

 

JACRA's Senior Director for Coffee, Patrick Pitterson, said while the projected numbers will be less, the industry is still expected to outperform last year.

 

He said there was little disruption in critical areas of the industry. 

 

"JACRA also conduct quality assurance assessment, and we take custody of coffee that is being exported - green bean coffee that is exported. And safe to say, and we are happy to be here today to say, that that aspect of the coffee industry was not disrupted significantly." 

 

"Apart from suspension of taking delivery of coffee, we have reverted to normal operation, and we didn't suffer any loss in terms of what we had. So now we are looking at probably around 240, somewhere there. For last year, we were projecting 180,000 boxes. At the time you would have had the ripening of the cherry coffee. And so because of that now, the rain caused a lot of those coffees to fall off the tree," Mr. Pitterson outlined during a press conference on Monday.

 

Despite the positive forecast, JACRA is anticipating short term impacts on coffee including tree stress.

 

Tree stress causes limited nutrient uptake due to heavy winds and could impact the crop's quality.

 

Meanwhile, cocoa farms and infrastructure suffered some 40 per cent damage.

 

That crop line lost $3.5 million in potential revenue.

 

But JACRA said supported nurseries have planting materials that can assist farmers.

 

Fifty per cent of pimento farms received damage with a $22 million loss in yields.

 

Nutmeg and turmeric and ginger farms suffered $1 million and $40 million in potential revenue.

 

JACRA has embarked on a fertiliser distribution programme which will commence by the end of this week among other relief initiatives.