Why Jamaican Coffee Output Won’t Rise Soon

Jamaica’s coffee farmers aren’t just facing bad weather—they’re up against a perfect storm of pests, disease, and economic missteps that have kept production stagnant for years. Despite global demand improving, the island’s coffee output hasn’t bounced back, leaving growers and exporters struggling to capitalise. If you’ve ever wondered why one of the world’s most famous coffees isn’t more widely available, the answer lies in the fields.

The short answer: Jamaica will produce just 240,000 bags of coffee in the 2013–2014 crop year—exactly the same as the previous year. With current prices, that brings the industry’s total value to around $30 million. But due to abandoned farms and recurring plant diseases, output won’t rise anytime soon.

The State of Jamaica’s Coffee Crop

Grant, manager of the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory—one of Jamaica’s key producers—has confirmed that the 2013–2014 coffee harvest will remain at 240,000 bags, unchanged from 2012–2013. At present market prices, that equates to an industry-wide output value of approximately $30 million. While global coffee prices are recovering and demand for both Blue Mountain and non-Blue Mountain beans is increasing, Jamaican producers aren’t seeing the financial benefits. The main hurdle? A dramatic drop in cultivation and an inability to boost yields quickly.

Pests, Disease, and Yield Loss

Grant pointed to poor control of berry borer insects and coffee leaf rust as major factors hurting production. These issues, combined with weak global coffee demand in previous years, led to an estimated $10 million loss for Jamaica’s coffee industry during the 2013–2014 season. The problems didn’t start recently—they’ve been compounding for over a decade.

From 600,000 Bags to 240,000: A Steep Decline

Fifteen years ago, Jamaica was producing around 600,000 bags of coffee annually. But a combination of economic and environmental factors has slashed that number by more than half. The 2008 global financial crisis played a role: Japan, which had previously committed to buying 90% of Jamaica’s coffee output, saw its economy falter and could no longer import at those levels. Jamaica was forced to diversify its export markets, just as Hurricane Sandy hit, introducing berry borers and coffee leaf rust. Many farmers subsequently abandoned their fields, leading to the current low of 240,000 bags.

Ongoing Disease Pressure

Although the Jamaican government has provided funding to fight coffee leaf rust, the disease continues to resurface. Without a sustained solution, farmers struggle to maintain healthy trees and stable yields. The combination of pests, recurring disease, and land abandonment makes a quick rebound in production unlikely.

Why High Prices Don’t Equal High Production

Even with rising global coffee prices and increased demand for premium beans like Blue Mountain, Jamaica’s ability to capitalise is limited by its reduced output. The small-scale, high-elevation farming model that produces Jamaica’s renowned Blue Mountain coffee can’t easily be scaled up, especially under current pest and disease pressures. That means the world’s most expensive coffee remains scarce—not because of limited demand, but because of constrained supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee does Jamaica produce per year?

Jamaica produced 240,000 bags of coffee in the 2013–2014 crop year, the same as the previous year, and has not shown significant recovery since. This figure has dropped drastically from 600,000 bags 15 years ago.

Why is Jamaican coffee production so low?

Production has fallen due to a mix of berry borer infestations, coffee leaf rust disease, economic challenges including Japan’s reduced imports after 2008, and farmer abandonment of coffee farms. Efforts to combat these issues have had limited success.

What is the value of Jamaica’s coffee industry?

At current market prices, the 240,000-bag 2013–2014 harvest is worth around $30 million. However, the industry lost an estimated $10 million that season due to pest and disease issues and weak demand.

Why can’t Jamaica just grow more coffee?

Increasing production is difficult due to ongoing threats from coffee leaf rust and berry borers, abandoned farmland, and the challenges of scaling up Jamaica’s traditional, high-elevation farming methods without compromising quality.

How has Japan’s demand affected Jamaican coffee?

Japan previously bought 90% of Jamaica’s coffee, but after the 2008 financial crisis, it reduced imports. Jamaica had to find new markets just as pest outbreaks and hurricanes further weakened production and export stability.

What kinds of coffee does Jamaica export?

Jamaica mainly exports Blue Mountain coffee, a premium, high-altitude coffee grown between 910m and 1700m, and non-Blue Mountain coffee. Both face production challenges, but Blue Mountain is the most renowned and tightly controlled.

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