Merchandise Trade Bulletin December 2019

Jamaica’s imports for January to December 2019 were valued at US$6,339.2 million, an increase of 2.7 per cent when compared to US$6,170.5 million which was spent for the similar period in 2018 according to the International Merchandise Trade (IMT) Bulletin released today (March 31, 2020) by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

The December 2019 IMT Bulletin further outlined that revenue from exports amounted to US$1,586.4 million for the current review period, 19.1 per cent lower than the US$1,960.7 million earned in the similar period in 2018.

Expenditure on imports from the United States of America (USA) – Jamaica’s main trading partner – were valued at US$2,848.8 million. This is 3.9 per cent above the US$2,740.7 million recorded in the period January to December 2018. Earnings from total exports to the USA amounted to US$614.4 million, an increase of 4.4 per cent when compared to the US$588.5 million earned for January to December 2018.

Imports The major commodities that contributed to the increase in spending on imports were “Food”, “Mineral Fuels Etcetera” and “Machinery and Transport Equip.”. Imports of “Food” were valued at US$1,025.5 million, 12.8 per cent above the US$908.9 million spent in 2018.

Expenditure on imports of “Mineral Fuels, etcetera” were valued at US$1,667.5 million, an increase of 3.6 per cent above the US$1,610.2 million spent in 2018.

Imports of “Machinery and Transport Equip.” were valued at US$1,464.4 million, an increase of 3.1 per cent when compared to the US$1,420.5 million in 2018.

7 Cecelio Avenue Kingston 10 Jamaica Tel.: (876) 630-1600 Fax (876) 926-1138 Email: info@statinja.gov.jm

International Merchandise Trade Bulletin December 2019 2 of 2

30.2 per cent decline in Traditional Domestic Exports Earnings from Traditional domestic exports for January to December 2019 were valued at US$911.9 million, a decrease of 30.2 per cent when compared to US$1,307.0 million exported in 2018. Traditional domestic exports accounted for 59.4 per cent of total domestic exports.

4.3 per cent percent increase in Non–Traditional Domestic Exports Non–traditional domestic exports earned US$624.2 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent. The categories responsible for this increase were “Food”, “Beverages & Tobacco (excl. Rum)” and “Other” non-traditional domestic exports.
CARICOM TRADE Jamaica’s imports from CARICOM were valued at US$302.7 million at the end of the January to December 2019 review period. This was 36.5 per cent below the US$476.9 million recorded in the comparable period of 2018. The major commodity group that contributed to this decline were imports of “Mineral Fuels, etcetera” and “Chemicals”. Imports of “Mineral Fuels, etcetera” were valued at US$44.3 million, while “Chemicals” were valued at US$24.0 million. Imports of ‘‘Food’’, however, increased by 3.1 per cent and were valued at US$149.0 million. Total exports to CARICOM were valued at US$92.4 million, 17.7 per cent above the US$78.5 million earned in 2018. Re-exports were valued at US$12.1 million, moving up by 6.3 per cent, from the US$11.3 million for January to December 2018.

Domestic exports earned US$80.4 million, an increase of 19.6 per cent when compared to the US$67.2 million earned in 2018. Exports of “Mineral Fuels, etcetera” increased to US$11.6 million. Exports of “Food” were valued at US$32.3 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent when compared to the US$30.9 million earned for January December 2018.

The International Merchandise Trade Bulletin outlines additional information on Jamaica’s international trade activities. The December 2019 International Merchandise Trade Bulletin is available on the Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s website: www.statinja.gov.jm or from the Information Section of the Institute, 7 Cecelio Avenue, Kingston 10. Visit the Institute’s Facebook page at facebook.com/STATINJA for the IMT December 2019 Infographics.

Contact:

Mrs. Georgia Garvey-Green Manager, Corporate Communications Email: ggreen@statinja.gov.jm