Domestic lime production in the U.S. has experienced a dramatic decline from approximately 7,300 acres in 1983 to negligible levels today. Florida, with its tropical climate, was historically suited for key and Persian lime cultivation, leading to a thriving domestic market. However, the industry faced a downturn by the end of the 20th century due to several adversities.
The U.S. lime industry's decline began with Hurricane Andrew in 1992, decimating Florida's lime groves. The situation worsened with the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, facilitating cheaper lime imports from Mexico and rendering Florida-grown limes noncompetitive. By 2000, domestic production plummeted to 12% of U.S. lime demand. The citrus canker outbreak in 1995 further devastated the industry, leading to the cessation of the Citrus Canker Eradication Program in 2006 amid public opposition and failure to eliminate the disease.
Despite a 338% surge in U.S. lime demand from 2000 to 2022, 97% of this demand was met by imports, primarily from Mexico, as of 2021. The U.S. market's reliance on imports persisted even as Mexican lime production faced challenges in 2024 due to extreme weather conditions. Nonetheless, there is a glimmer of hope for U.S. lime cultivation. Advances in managing citrus canker and efforts to develop citrus greening-resistant lime varieties, such as the Australian round lime, could potentially revitalize the American lime industry, with demand expected to grow into the late 2020s.
Source: mashed