Steep declines in mining, agriculture and tourism-related activities helped shrink Jamaica’s economy by 2.9 per cent in the April-June quarter, according to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).
In its quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report released Wednesday, STATIN said total value added at constant (2015) prices fell to $420.9 billion in the April-June quarter from $433.4 billion a year earlier, a decline of $12.55 billion.
STATIN said output declined in both the goods-producing industries, by 6.3 per cent, and the services industries, by 1.8 per cent, compared with the second quarter of 2025.
“The decline in the Goods Producing Industries was influenced by lower output from the Mining & Quarrying and Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing industries, while the decrease in the Services Industries largely reflected reduced activity in Accommodation & Food Service Activities and Transport & Storage,” the agency said.
Mining & Quarrying recorded the steepest decline among the major industries, falling 26.1 per cent during the quarter.
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing contracted 15.3 per cent, while Accommodation & Food Service Activities declined 12.3 per cent.
STATIN said the mining industry’s decline reflected lower alumina and total bauxite production.
Alumina output fell 30.8 per cent to 251,933 tonnes, while total bauxite production declined 16.1 per cent to 1.32 million tonnes.
Agriculture also recorded a notable contraction.
According to STATIN, the sector was affected by “dry conditions across most parishes and the lingering impact of Hurricane Melissa.”
Banana production fell 72.0 per cent and plantain production declined 77.5 per cent during the quarter.
Tourism-related activities also weakened. Accommodation & Food Service Activities contracted 12.3 per cent, which STATIN said was “primarily attributed to a 21.0 per cent fall in foreign national arrivals and the continued closure of some hotels.” Foreign national arrivals fell to 546,413 from 691,796 a year earlier.
Transport & Storage declined 6.1 per cent as passenger traffic through Jamaica’s airports fell 15.1 per cent and both stopover and cruise arrivals declined.
Not all industries recorded declines.
Manufacturing grew 0.1 per cent, Construction increased 0.4 per cent, and Financial & Insurance Activities expanded by 3.0 per cent.
STATIN said the financial sector’s growth reflected higher commercial banking output from increased net interest income, service charges, transaction fees and commissions.
The agency also reported some improvement relative to the previous quarter.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the economy grew 1.2 per cent compared with the January-March quarter, with goods-producing industries increasing 1.7 per cent and services-producing industries rising 1.0 per cent.
carolyn.guniss@rjrgleaner.com
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