Imports outstrips exports for Jan-Sept 2025
Jamaica continues to import more than it exports as is reflected in the first nine months of 2025.
According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), spending on imports increased by 3.6 per cent to US$5.7 billion. This compares to US$5.5 billion recorded over the similar period in 2024.
STATIN said the increase was driven by higher imports of raw material/intermediate goods and consumer goods, which rose by 13.3 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively.
Meanwhile, earnings from total exports declined for January to September 2025. Revenues from total exports for the review period totalled US$1.3 billion, representing a two per cent decline when compared to US$1.4 billion earned in the similar 2024 period.
This was attributable to a 10.7 per cent decrease in the value of mineral fuels.
Jamaica’s five main import trading partners for January – September 2025 were the United States of America (USA), China, Brazil, Japan and Nigeria. Expenditure on imports of goods from these countries amounted to US$3.5 billion, representing an increase of 6.8 per cent compared to US$3.3 billion recorded in 2024. This growth was attributed to an increase in the import value of ‘chemicals’.
The top five destinations for Jamaica’s exports were the USA, the Russian Federation, Iceland, the Netherlands and Canada.
Export revenues from these countries declined by 3.0 per cent to US$946.7 million, driven mainly by a decrease in the value of exports of ‘crude materials’.
