Cabinet Approves 20 Per Cent Vehicle Concession Expansion for Farmers

Cabinet has approved expanding the categories of vehicles eligible for a 20 per cent duty concession for farmers.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, made the announcement during Wednesday’s (April 9) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

The policy adjustment was initially announced by Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during his 2025/26 Budget Debate presentation in March.

Initially, the concession could only be applied to pick-up trucks. However, the adjustment allows panel vans, small trucks, including those with refrigeration, to be added to the list.

Mr. Green said the need for the change was emphasised during a listening tour conducted by the Agriculture Ministry following his appointment.

“Through our stakeholder engagements, a number of our farmers said to us that they faced significant issues transporting their perishable produce. They wanted to see an expansion to ensure that they were getting the motor vehicles that they needed to be more profitable and efficient,” he indicated.

The Minister said the concession adjustment “will ensure that [farmers] can expand their fleet and bring in vehicles that are better suited to treat with the perishability of their produce”.

An increase of the age limit from 10 years to 15 years of these light commercial vehicles was also approved.

Further adjustments were made to the category of people who can access the concession.

“I’m pleased to announce that we are making the changes to ensure that our marine fishers will now be able to access the 20 per cent duty concession. Under all of these new criteria, they will now be able to get small, refrigerated trucks that they can use in their fishing enterprise, hence strengthening their ability to participate in the blue economy, increasing productivity, increasing efficiency and lowering barriers to entry and operation,” Mr. Green added.

Applications for the concession can be completed through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for registered farmers and the National Fisheries Authority for fishers.

However, the Minister is advising marine fishers to wait approximately two months before applying for the concessions.

“There is going to be a time lag now that we have announced it. We have started the work behind it, so I would say to make that first application for fishers, give us two months and then you should be in a great position to move forward,” Mr. Green indicated.