USA: Prices for limes continue to be volatile

Lime prices continue to be a little unpredictable in the southern U.S. “Limes are often a $14 item, but recently we’ve been hitting a $20-$25 price point for the most part. Limes are in decent supply right now,” says Stephan Eckel of Las Vegas, NV-based Terra Exports. “A lot of the fruit on the trees is smaller and there is a possibility of shortages about a month from now.” This continues the trend seen already in late 2016, when limes from Mexico, sold mainly in south Texas, had a wide variety of pricing. Terra sources its limes from regions such as Mexico and Colombia.

Rain-related pricing

Meanwhile rains, of course, affect the pricing of the sour green citrus fruit. “If we do find weather down there, you’ll have a rain market so supply dries up for a moment,” says Eckel. “Recently, we went back to a $24-$25 price. And then three days later, it was a $19-21 price. This moves back and forth with the rain in Mexico right now.”

Demand is there
For the most part, demand is on par with supply, Eckel adds. “For larger players, and retailers, who use a lot of limes, they’re going to buy at less than what’s being quoted on the spot market. “If the retail sector doesn’t pull because the market is too high, slowing movement, it backs up, and prices come off. It can be a dangerous game in a $25 market, as a $3 swing from day to day is not uncommon. As always with pricing, it’s anybody’s guess.”

For more information:
Stephan Eckel
Terra Exports
Tel: +1 702 664 2123
Stephan@terraexports.com
terraexports.com