Consumers are paying significantly less for some fruits and vegetables compared to the high prices that followed Hurricane Beryl last July when the local agriculture sector was devastated by the category 4 storm.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green provided an update in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. He noted that 70 per cent of vegetables saw price reductions, some by as much as 66 per cent.

Among the most notable, he said, are:

· Sweet Pepper (green), down 66 per cent from J$1,293/kg in December to J$440/kg in January

· Lettuce (iceberg), down 44 per cent, from J$688/kg to J$385/kg

· Tomato (salad), down 40 per dent, from J$1,100/kg to J$660/kg

· Pak choi, down 22 per cent, from J$267/kg to J$209/kg, boosted by increased production in Clarendon and St Ann

· Carrot – down 33%, from J$660/kg to J$440/kg.

Green said other essential vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, romaine lettuce, string beans and cabbage also recorded price reductions ranging from nine per cent to 23 per cent.

“This downward trend is expected to continue, bringing further relief to consumers,” he said.

The minister noted that while vegetable prices have declined, there are some fruit lines that continue to be challenged based on the weather patterns. These include melons and cantaloupes.

“We are seeing the recovery of our banana crops with ripe banana reemerging. Additionally plantain prices which peaked at J$330/kg in December have since dropped seven per cent to J$307/kg in January and pineapple (cowboy) showed remarkable consistency, with only a six per cent decline, from J$352/kg to J$330/kg,” said Green.

He noted that the recovery is not happening by chance.

“It is the result of deliberate action by this Government to support our farmers. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, in collaboration with RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority) and our other agencies, we have provided the critical inputs needed to rebuild production capacity and mitigate losses,” Green said.

“While adverse weather conditions affected supply over the past year, our interventions have ensured that price surges were kept under control and that stabilisation came faster than previous years. We will continue working closely with our farmers to strengthen food security, support production, and keep prices manageable for all Jamaicans,” he added.