The Rising Cost of Sweet Pepper in Jamaica

 

The Growing Struggle with Sweet Pepper Prices

Sweet pepper also known as bell pepper may not be an essential in every Jamaican kitchen, but it certainly finds its way into many dishes we love. Whether it’s in stew chicken, stew pork, fry-up saltfish, or steam cabbage, sweet pepper adds that vibrant flavor and color that many of us crave. But these days, walking into a market and seeing the price of sweet pepper can leave you shocked. At $1000 per pound, it's become one of the more expensive items on the grocery list, and the situation has worsened because sweet pepper is now scarce.

Even if you can afford to buy it, vendors are prioritizing their loyal customers, making it a challenge to get your hands on any at all. It’s a far cry from the days when sweet pepper was abundant and affordable. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on why sweet pepper has become such a luxury item, and how the recent Hurricane Melissa has worsened the situation.

The Price Surge: A Steady Climb Before Hurricane Melissa

Before Hurricane Melissa even became a concern, the price of sweet pepper was already creeping up. In 2024, the price of sweet pepper had already risen to about $400 per pound, which, though high, was still manageable for most people. But as transportation costs and agriculture-related expenses increased, so did the price.

By the time 2025 rolled around, many Jamaicans were already adjusting to the new normal of paying higher prices for their staple ingredients. But no one could have predicted how the arrival of Hurricane Melissa would change the game.

The Hurricane's Impact: A Blow to Our Supply Chain

In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm hit Jamaica hard. Particularly in the southern and western regions, where much of our sweet pepper is grown, the damage was severe. Flooding, crop destruction, and damaged greenhouses left many farmers struggling to recover. Sweet pepper was one of the most affected crops, and the already high prices were driven even higher as the supply became more limited.

When all was said and done, the price of sweet pepper soared to $1,600 per pound. And this wasn’t just about sweet pepper, tomatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables also saw major price hikes. For those of us who were already feeling the pinch from the rising cost of food, this was another blow. 

A Seller’s Market: Who Gets the Sweet Pepper?

The real problem isn’t just the price it’s the scarcity. Even if you can afford to pay $1,600, getting access to sweet pepper has become another challenge altogether. Vendors are now selling only to their regular customers, leaving many newcomers or casual shoppers without access to this prized vegetable.

It’s a frustrating situation. There’s a stark imbalance between the supply and demand, and those with established relationships with vendors are the ones who are benefiting the most. For the rest of us, it’s become a game of luck whether you find it at the market, and if you do, whether you can afford it. The struggle is real right now in Jamaica