Campari earns roughly J$20 billion from Jamaica in nine months

Jamaica made up about 5 per cent of Campari Group’s €2.29 billion in sales for the first nine-months of 2026, roughly €114 million (J$20.2 billion), or €500,000 higher than a year earlier, according to the financials released this week.

“In Jamaica, the underlying trends remain solid, but our nine-month performance is largely impacted by the high base effect of quarter three,” Chief Executive Simon Hunt said on an earnings call on Wednesday.

Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica at the end of October 2025, so the fourth quarter of 2026 faces a weak comparison. The hurricane reportedly cost Campari €21 million (J$3.5 billion) in lost sales in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“Just to remind you all, we had a 52 per cent growth last year. Barring any new weather-related events, this will reverse in the final quarter and support our regional performance,” Hunt explained.

Campari’s results group the Jamaican rums with Wild Turkey bourbon in a unit called the House of Whiskey & Rum, which does not list Jamaica or rum sales on their own. The unit’s sales fell 10.0 per cent on an organic basis to €285 million.

“Jamaica delivered growth despite a high comparison base last year,” Campari said in its release.

J. Wray & Nephew Ltd, owned by Campari, makes Wray & Nephew White Overproof rum and the Appleton Estate range of aged rums. Campari bought control of Wray & Nephew in 2012. Wray & Nephew is the largest rum brand on the island and competes with rivals such as Charley’s JB.

Group sales rose 2.9 per cent after stripping out currency changes and disposals. Third-quarter growth was 3.4 per cent, the sixth straight quarter of growth.

Campari kept its 2026 target of about 3 per cent growth. It expects slower growth in North America and a small sales decline in the US for the full year.

“Looking ahead, we confirm our full-year 2026 guidance of circa 3 per cent organic top-line growth despite the ongoing challenging market backdrop,” Hunt said.

business@gleanerjm.com