The supply of limes right now is steady coming out of Martinez De La Torre in the Mexican state of Veracruz. That steady supply is expected to continue throughout the summer months, says Tony Campos of International Citrus & Produce.
However, the sizing of the citrus fruit remains on watch. "The high temperatures and the lack of rain have kept the limes from sizing up," says Campos. "There is an abundance of small sizes–200s, 230s and also 250s. There are also very few 110s, 150s and 175s."
This is a bit of a shift from recent months. In mid-March for example, the industry had seen a decent amount of larger fruit in the 110 and 150 sizing. However already then there were industry rumblings that the sizing would start to shift small.
The heat effect
That high heat in Veracruz has also impacted the look of the fruit and is making them thin-skinned and losing their color.
Where is this leaving pricing? The scarcer supply of those large sizes of fruit has impacted pricing in keeping them stronger compared to the smaller sizes of limes. "We expect steady prices throughout the summer months," says Campos.
He also adds that the coloring of Mexican limes may continue to be affected. "As the weeks go by, we will not see the nice green limes we have been accustomed to these past few months," he says.
For more information:
Tony Campos
International Citrus and Produce
Tel: +1 (650) 342-4525
[email protected]