ON THE COVER
Melissa cuts path of destruction but big business still standing
Published:Friday | October 31, 2025 | 12:10 AM
Businesses and financial markets were slowly ramping up operations on Thursday even as damage assessments continued in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which hit Jamaica with Category 5 strength, leaving lives upended and some homes and businesses damaged and under water.
The stock market and foreign exchange markets resumed trading after three days of lockdown, while the banking sector began opening up some branches, but with reduced hours of service.
However, the Bank of Jamaica, which suffered minor damage to its building on the Kingston waterfront, remained closed to the public during clean-up, but was due to reopen today, Friday.
Amid the physical damage, assessments for which are continuing, companies were also testing systems to bring back services online and reopen shops and stores.
Several of the country’s largest food and consumer goods companies, polled by the Financial Gleaner on Wednesday, indicated that while they suffered damage and were counting the costs, they were still in a position to service the needs of Jamaican consumers with goods.
Some large supermarkets and other grocery outlets resumed service at some locations on Wednesday and Thursday. Lottery and gaming company Supreme Ventures was able to open two locations in Kingston on Thursday, but said it was still assessing damage in several others, namely, Montego Bay, Spanish Town, Portmore, and Savanna-la-Mar in Westmoreland, where Melissa initially made landfall on Tuesday.
They are expectations that Melissa may take a bigger bite out of the economy than Category 4 Hurricane Beryl, which wrought damage estimated at $32 billion, or around 1.1 per cent of gross domestic product, in July 2024. Additionally, some crops and other markets, such as egg production, are yet to fully recover from Beryl’s impact.
From the battered parts of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and St James to the industrial corridors of Kingston, Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction. But on Wednesday, in the wake of the storm’s passage, business leaders were rallying, mainly with messages of assurance that they were well-prepared for the storm and positioned to aid with recovery.
As of now, the reports of damage are trickling in.
For instance, the operations of food and financial services conglomerate GraceKennedy Group mainly suffered damage in western Jamaica.
“Our Grace Food Processors (Meats) plant in Savanna-la-Mar, our Agro-Processors plant in Hounslow, and our Montego Bay distribution centre all sustained damage,” said CEO Frank James on Wednesday.
“But our main distribution centre in St Catherine resumed operations (on Wednesday) to ensure continued supply of food and essentials,” James told the Financial Gleaner.
The GK Command Recovery Team has been activated and is working to restore full operations, while supporting national recovery efforts.
“We are deeply concerned about all who have been affected, including our own team members and the communities we serve,” James said.
At beverage manufacturing and consumer products distribution company Wisynco Group Limited, Chairman William Mahfood expressed both concern and optimism.
His company is still smarting from the loss of about $500 million in revenues due to disruptions occasioned by Hurricane Beryl.
“There’s no question that there’s going to be an impact on the business, especially with the devastation across the north coast,” Mahfood said. “But unlike Hurricane Beryl, this time we’re seeing a much larger, coordinated effort in rebuilding and relief,” he said.
Mahfood said Wisynco was well-positioned to support the nation’s needs amid the recovery.
“We have the equivalent of 240-foot containers of water in stock. That’s not enough for the entire country, but it allows us to get our machines running and meet urgent needs,” he explained. “The biggest challenge will be logistics — getting supplies to the hardest-hit communities,” the Wisynco chairman said.
Wisynco is partnering with Food For The Poor and other international relief agencies to distribute essential items.
“People have come out like you’ve never seen. Overseas suppliers are offering containers of product to assist. The response has been overwhelming,” Mahfood said.
Richard Pandohie, CEO of Seprod Group, another large manufacturer and distributor of consumer food products, reported mixed impacts across the company’s facilities.
“Montego Bay got properly damaged — our meat processing plant lost its roof, and the office and warehouse sustained significant damage,” he said. “But our factories in Kingston will start up (Thursday) and we’re the working to resume supply to the hotel sector by Friday,” Pandohie reported.
He said the company’s condensery at Bybrook in Bog Walk, St Catherine, faces water supply issues, but the company is exploring alternatives with the National Water Commission.
Regarding his national view of the devastation caused by Melissa, Pandohie was philosophical. “Our initial reaction is one of gratitude. It could have been much worse,” he said. “Ports and the JPS grid are largely intact, which is critical for recovery,” he added.
Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Kathryn Silvera, highlighted the importance of logistics and coordination
“We’re reaching out to contacts in St Elizabeth and St James to assess which supermarkets, hardware stores, and wholesalers can reopen,” said Silvera. “We’re working with members like Arc Manufacturing and Spectrum Roofing to get supplies out.”
Silvera said most manufacturers had built up inventory ahead of the storm.
“Many of us have six months of stock, which will help sustain the island. We’re also working with the government to align efforts and ensure that food, water, medicine, and building materials reach those in need.”
Emile Leiba, president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, similarly said assistance was being coordinated.
“The first reaction is shock, but we’re coordinating with the government and chambers islandwide to assess needs and respond,” said Leiba.
“It’s hard to be optimistic, given the devastation, but once you have life, you have hope. Jamaicans are resilient — this will be a long road, but we will walk it together,” he asserted.
The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, and Shipping Association of Jamaica issued a joint statement late Wednesday, reaffirming their commitment to national recovery.
“Though the storm tested us, it did not defeat us. Jamaica will rise again — stronger, wiser, and more united than ever,” the statement read.
The organisations are working with the Government of Jamaica to establish a coordinated framework for recovery, focusing on logistics, warehousing, manpower, and support for affected businesses. “We urge all stakeholders to prioritise the clearance and distribution of critical items needed to support national recovery,” the trade associations said.
“We will rebuild stronger,” Mahfood declared on Wednesday. “This is not just about recovery — it’s about transformation,” he said.