Inflation hits 12-year high after storm damage
HURRICANE Melissa delivered an immediate hit to household budgets in November, pushing consumer prices up by 2.4 per cent in the sharpest monthly increase Jamaica has seen in more than a decade, according to latest data coming out of the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).
The November out-turn marks the largest monthly movement in Jamaica’s Consumer Price Index since September 2013, and mirrors the spike recorded after Hurricane Beryl last year, particularly within the food industry.
For most consumers, the pressure is being felt most at the market and supermarket.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by six per cent for the month, driven by a 19.1 per cent surge in the cost of vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses. Prices climbed sharply for everyday items such as tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet peppers, hot peppers and cucumbers.
Fruit prices also moved higher, with the ‘Fruit and nuts’ category rising 8.8 per cent, according to STATIN, reflecting increased prices for papayas, watermelons and ackees. Ready-made food and other food products increased, adding further strain for consumers who rely on prepared meals or quick food options during the workweek.
“Additionally, ‘Ready-made food and other food products’ increased by 16.4 per cent, mainly due to a rise in escallion prices. Increases were observed in all other classes in the group,” the data collection agency said.
The pattern shows how quickly storms translate into higher food costs, particularly when farming areas are damaged and supplies tighten. While Melissa spared some regions, flooding, crop losses and transport disruption in affected zones were enough to squeeze availability and push prices higher nationwide.
Notably, the inflation spike was not broad-based.
STATIN reported that the index for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels declined by 1.3 per cent in November, largely due to lower electricity rates, while transport prices were unchanged from October. The contrast suggests the surge was driven less by underlying inflationary pressure and more by a concentrated food shock tied to the hurricane’s aftermath.
