PIOJ reports growth in agriculture, forestry and fisheries
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has reported an estimated seven per cent growth in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries for the three months ending June 2016.
According to newly appointed director general of the PIOJ, Wayne Henry, growth in the industries was due to a recorded increase of 13.5 per cent for agricultural crops and an increase of 6.7 per cent for animal farming.
“The increase in output for other agricultural crops reflected growth in six of the nine crop groups, led by legumes, up 36.6 per cent; fruits, up 31.6 per cent; vegetables, up 21.2 per cent; and condiments, up 16.0 per cent,” Henry told journalists at a PIOJ press briefing last Wednesday.
“Growth in animal farming was pushed by broiler meat production, up 7.2 per cent; and egg production, up 22.1 per cent.”
The growth experienced over the quarter largely reflected favourable weather conditions relative to the corresponding period of 2015, which positively impacted the performances of the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and electricity and water supply industries. Cumulative rainfall for the first six months of 2016 was 105 per cent of the 30-year mean, compared with 67 per cent of the 30-year mean recorded in the corresponding period of 2015, according to the report published by the PIOJ.
Growth from the two industries was the main contributor to an estimated 1.1 per cent growth in the economy for the quarter, compared with the corresponding period last year. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing reflected a contribution of 0.5 per cent of economic growth.
While most areas of the industry performed positively, traditional export crops saw declines of 7.7 per cent.
The decline mainly reflected a 28.6 per cent contraction in the production of sugar cane, led by increased factory downtime due to excessive rainfall, as well as the non-operation of the Appleton plant and the late start of processing activities at Everglades sugar factory.
Declines were also recorded in bananas, down 0.8 per cent and coffee, down 19.7 per cent.
