KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s merchandise trade activity declined for the first two months of 2026, with expenditure on imports falling by 8.1 per cent and total export earnings falling by 28.8 per cent when compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

The update was provided on Friday by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) in its latest International Merchandise Trade Bulletin.

STATIN said total spending on imports for January to February 2026 was valued at US$1,214.3 million compared to US$1,320.9 million recorded in the corresponding 2025 period.

This decline was driven by lower spending on raw materials/intermediate goods, consumer goods and fuels and lubricants, which fell by which fell by 6.8 per cent, 7.8 per cent and 20.2 per cent, respectively.

For the review period, total export earnings totalled US$217.7 million, moving from US$305.8 million earned for the similar 2025 review period. STAIN said this downward movement was largely due to a 59.1 per cent reduction in the value of crude materials, excluding fuels.

Jamaica’s principal import trading partners for January to February 2026 were the United States of America (USA), China, Brazil, Japan and Trinidad and Tobago. Imports from these countries were valued at US$837.3 million, representing a 0.5 per cent decline when compared to the US$841.3 million recorded in the corresponding 2025 review period.

The leading destinations for Jamaica’s exports were the USA, the Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands and Canada. Export earnings from these markets totalled US$164.2 million, reflecting a 19.1 per cent decline when compared with January to February 2025.