Agro Parks Output Expected To Bolster Christmas Food Availability

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Geology and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the country’s agro parks are projected to generate approximately 4,851 tonnes of agricultural produce between November 2026 and January 2027.

Of this amount, an estimated 2,558 tonnes have been earmarked specifically to help meet consumer demand during the Christmas season.

This is expected to contribute to adequate supplies of most fruits and vegetables, among other outputs, as well as locally produced chicken, according to Mr. Green.

He provided the update in a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (November 3), during which he apprised the nation of the impact of the prolonged dry conditions on the agricultural sector, outlined the Government’s interventions to support farmers and fishers, and gave an overview of the production.

Mr. Green informed the House that projected production for the period comprises vegetables, root crops, condiments and other agricultural commodities, which are expected to help bolster national food supplies.

“Our Christmas crop programme across the agro-parks also includes targeted support for vegetable planting material, cabbage, hot and sweet pepper, onion, pumpkin, and sweet corn along with fertiliser and crop protection inputs,” the Minister noted.

Mr. Green said land preparation is also being targeted across 300 acres at Ebony Park, Spring Plain, Parnassus, Amity Hall, and Plantation Garden River agro parks.

“Across the Agro-Invest portfolio, production programmes have been aligned to the seasonal demand period with support being provided for land preparation, seedling, seeds, fertiliser chemicals, and other inputs,” he said, underscoring the vital role of the agro parks in the Christmas production programme.

Meanwhile, the Minister noted that, despite the severity of the drought and its impact on agricultural production, assessments indicate that Jamaica remains well positioned to have adequate supplies across most major food categories for the Christmas period.

“There will be tight availability in some individual commodities, but the overall production outlook is encouraging,” he said.

Mr. Green indicated that the projection is based on the latest production forecasts, field observations and planning activities, and is contingent on favourable weather conditions and the absence of any major adverse event.

He said there are encouraging signs across several crop categories, pointing to field assessments that show increasing supplies of cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, string beans, plummy tomato, and sweet pepper.

The Minister added that the improvement has been driven by increased planting activity in the wake of localised rainfall.

Mr. Green pointed out that supplies of sweet potato and yellow yam are expected to remain relatively stable throughout the Christmas season.

He further indicated that scallion supplies have been on the rise and are expected to continue increasing into January.

The Minister added that cucumber supplies are projected to improve, while tomato supplies are expected to increase during December.

“We are also projecting increased availability of hot pepper during December. For cabbage, increased supplies are expected, as current plants are mature while additional interventions are being undertaken in vegetable production to support availability through the Christmas period,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green noted that approximately 2,622 hectares of selected high-demand crops monitored by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) are projected to be in production in December.

“This includes 686 hectares of yellow yam, 244 hectares of Irish potato, 189 hectares of pumpkin, 167 hectares of cabbage, 115 hectares of carrot, 105 hectares of sweet pepper, and 101 hectares of pak choy… alongside increased acreage across a range of other vegetables and condiments,” he told the House.

In the meantime, Mr. Green indicated that the prolonged dry conditions are likely to result in below-normal Christmas-season supplies of gungo peas and sorrel.

Regarding poultry supplies, he said current projections indicate that Jamaica will have adequate supplies of locally produced chicken for Christmas.

The Minister emphasised that chicken remains one of the most important sources of protein for Jamaican households, particularly during the Yuletide season.

“The poultry industry has made a significant recovery. This is particularly noteworthy when we recall the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which resulted in the loss of approximately 700,000 broilers and 400,000 layers. For the period November 14 to December 26, 2026, broiler meat production is forecast to be approximately 22.3 million kilogrammes. This would be 30 per cent above the hurricane-affected Christmas period of 2025 and close to the levels recorded in 2024,” he said.

Mr. Green further noted that weekly broiler production is expected to reach its peak of approximately 3.5 million kilogrammes during the week ending December 12.

He added that the recovery in egg production has been significant, noting, however, that “it is important to recognise that recovery is not yet complete”.

“From November to December, egg production is forecast at approximately 38.1 million eggs… with approximately 20.1 million eggs projected for December alone. This represents 650,000 eggs per day during December,” the Minister reported

Mr. Green said this would place Christmas egg production at approximately 2024 levels and significantly above the hurricane-affected production levels recorded in 2025.

“It doesn’t mean that our national flock has recovered… but we are seeing recovery in progress,” he declared.

Additionally, the Minister noted that the country’s fisheries sector has been impacted by adverse weather conditions, pointing out that “as such, we’ve seen average fishing days fall from 20 days to 15 days”.

Nonetheless, Mr. Green assured that marine fish production continues, with 1,870 metric tonnes recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026/27.

“The National Fisheries Authority continues to innovate, with 5,762 pounds of red drum fish being harvested through the Cage Culture Project, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization. This project demonstrates the potential of this form of mariculture in Jamaica,” he said.

Mr. Green indicated that, since the beginning of the financial year, approximately 2,200 pounds of freshwater prawn have been harvested, while an additional 118,500 post-larvae have been stocked as efforts continue to expand prawn production.