The Cost of Survival
in Jamaica
Jamaica effectively operates as three distinct economies sharing the same geography: a survival economy for the low-income majority, a credit-leveraged struggle for the shrinking middle class, and a dollarized consumption sphere for the wealthy.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Minimum Wage
At J$16,000/week, workers earn J$400 per hour. A loaf of bread costs 1.3 hours of labor.
Imported Food
Jamaica imports 80% of its food, importing US inflation and making prices vulnerable to global shocks.
Food Inflation
Food prices rose 8.1% in December 2024—nearly double the headline inflation rate of 4.3-5%.
Market Savings
Vegetables cost up to 40% less at Coronation Market than supermarkets. But most people don't know this.
Three Jamaicas, One Island
The "average" weekly supermarket spend is a statistical fiction. Here's the reality.
The Survivalist
Low-Income Households
Single parents, security guards, cashiers. Shopping split between community shops (for credit) and downtown markets (for bulk savings).
💡 Key Insight
This budget lacks fresh fruit, significant dairy, or diverse proteins. A single unexpected expense forces reduction to purely starch-based meals.
✅ How BuyersMarket Helps
BuyersMarket shows market prices vs supermarket prices, helping avoid the 'poverty penalty' of small purchases.
📦 Sample Weekly Basket
Rice (Bulk)
2 kg
J$1,200
Chicken Back
2 kg
J$1,500
Tin Mackerel
4 tins
J$800
Counter Flour
2 kg
J$600
Market Vegetables
Bundle
J$1,500
The Squeezed Center
Middle Class Families
Two-income households (teachers, police officers, admin). Qualifies for store cards. Uses PriceMart for bulk buying.
💡 Key Insight
Attempts to buy healthier options but reverts to cheaper staples when bills are due. Fast food becomes meal replacement on busy days.
✅ How BuyersMarket Helps
BuyersMarket optimizes between bulk buying at PriceMart and weekly fresh produce at local supermarkets.
📦 Sample Weekly Basket
Whole Chicken/Meat
3-4 kg
J$4,500
Fresh Produce
Assorted
J$5,000
Dairy (Milk/Cheese)
4L / 1lb
J$3,500
Processed Snacks
Variety
J$3,500
Cereals
2 Boxes
J$3,000
The Dollarized Elite
High-Net-Worth & Expats
Expatriates, diplomatic staff, wealthy business owners. Income in USD. Shopping at CPJ Market, Uncorked, specialty stores.
💡 Key Insight
For this group, Jamaica is one of the most expensive places to live. A box of American cereal costs J$1,800 (US$11)—triple Miami prices.
✅ How BuyersMarket Helps
Even premium shoppers benefit from knowing when specialty items go on sale or new stock arrives.
📦 Sample Weekly Basket
Imported Beef/Salmon
2 kg
J$10,000+
Specialty Dairy
Almond Milk/Yogurt
J$6,000
Imported Fruits
Grapes/Berries
J$8,000
Wine/Alcohol
2-3 Bottles
J$12,000
Organic/Gluten-Free
Assorted
J$10,000
The Real Cost of Groceries
Actual shelf prices Jamaicans face in late 2024 and early 2025.
Proteins
Chicken (Whole)
Stabilized but high
J$875-950/kg
Chicken Back
The poor man's protein
J$350-450/kg
Goat (Mutton)
Luxury status
J$3,700/kg
Saltfish
National dish ingredient
J$1,600-2,000/kg
Produce (Post-Hurricane)
Tomatoes (Supermarket)
40% more than market
J$1,980/kg
Tomatoes (Market)
Best value
J$1,200/kg
Sweet Peppers
High variance
J$2,000+/kg
Carrots
39% market savings
J$700-1,150/kg
Staples
Rice (Jasmine)
Bedrock of diet
J$595/kg
Bread (Hardo, 2lb)
1.3 hrs of minimum wage
J$535
Sugar (Brown)
High caloric energy
J$395/kg
Eggs (Dozen)
Volatile due to feed costs
J$550-700
Source: 2024-2025 Consumer Price Survey, STATIN, and market observations
Knowledge is Saving Power
BuyersMarket gives every Jamaican access to the same price intelligence— whether you're stretching J$8,000 or managing J$45,000.