The supply of limes is steady right now though a gap is coming in product from Mexico. "Supply will tighten because cool weather in Mexico in the past few weeks has left some damage on the trees. We're seeing flowers on the trees fall off as the temperatures drop into the low 40(s)°F," says Michael Giordano of Consalo Family Farms®, adding that the gap is expected for the end of February. "It will take a while to survey the damage to know exactly how much yield will be available."
Mexico supplies approximately 90 percent of the U.S. lime supply and a gap or tightening of limes at this time of year isn't unusual. "In the past few years, Colombia has made a big push to help the supply chain, especially on the East Coast from Miami where they import a lot of it, and then upwards through New Jersey," says Giordano.
Demand ahead of Super Bowl
As for demand, it often softens in the winter months given the citrus item is considered more of a warmer weather item featured in drinks and more. That said, demand for limes is strengthening slightly ahead of the Super Bowl taking place on February 9.
So where is all of this leaving pricing? "Right now pricing is all over the place depending on the quality that people have and the abundance of supply a grower has," says Giordano.
For more information:
Chelsea Consalo
Consalo Family Farms
Tel: +1 (856) 839-0264
chelsea@consalofamilyfarms.com
www.consalofamilyfarms.com