Core Insights - Hurricane "Melissa" has caused economic losses equivalent to one-third of Jamaica's GDP from last year [1] - Estimated losses from housing and critical infrastructure range from $60 billion to $70 billion, representing 28% to 32% of last year's GDP [1] - Short-term economic output is expected to decline by 8% to 13% due to the hurricane's impact [1] Economic Impact - The total economic loss in the Caribbean region from Hurricane "Melissa" is estimated to be between $48 billion and $52 billion [2] - The hurricane has resulted in at least 75 fatalities, including 32 individuals from Jamaica [2] Government Response - The Jamaican government plans to rebuild infrastructure with a focus on resilience against future storms [1] - There are concerns that post-disaster reconstruction spending may increase national debt, prompting the government to initiate an emergency plan [1] Sector-Specific Effects - The agricultural sector has been severely affected by consecutive hurricanes, potentially leading to increased food prices [1] - The tourism sector, particularly in core areas of Jamaica, has also been impacted, resulting in job losses for thousands of workers [1]

Core Insights - In July, global food prices reached a two-year high, driven by rising international meat and vegetable oil prices [1] Industry Summary - The Food Price Index of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization averaged 130.1 points in July, marking a 1.6% increase from June and the highest level since February 2023 [1] - In Ireland, food prices in July increased by 4.7% compared to the same month last year, according to data from the Central Statistics Office [1]