After several months of limited supplies, lime volumes are now steadily increasing each week. Warmer temperatures are helping production move along, and suppliers are now beginning to see a surplus. This is a fairly typical pattern each year, however the peak in production has been shifted later this year.
"Production right now is starting to hit its summer peak," said Eddie Caram of New Limeco based in Florida. "We typically see an increase in supply along with warmer temperatures. Normally, this starts to occur in the first week in April. However due to cooler than average temperatures in Martinez de la Torre during the spring, the peak has come later."
Eddie Caram
"We have a year-round supply from the Mexican region," he continued. "But at times when supplies are limited, like earlier this year for example, we also source them from Colombia and Honduras."
Market gap between larger and smaller sizes set to narrow
Currently, there is a much greater amount of smaller sized limes available. This has resulted in a skewed market where smaller limes are significantly lower priced compared with the larger sized fruit. "As of now, prices for smaller limes, the 200s and 230s, are in the $8.00 - $10.00 range on the open market," Caram observed. "Larger limes, like the 110s and 150s, are fetching about $6.00 - $8.00 more, with their range between $14.00 - $16.00."
However, Caram predicts this is looking to narrow as a new crop is about to hit the market. "Predictions are that with the new crop coming in, the market will be moving rapidly to close up that gap. Demand continues to remain very good."
New Limeco mainly packages their limes in 40lb and 10lb sized packs, but they also offer retail packs. "Our limes are usually packed in 40lb bulk pack as well as 10lb cartons," Caram said. "The 10lb packs are available as a loose pack or a Place pack with PLU stickers. We also carry retail bags in 2lb x 17 bags."
For more information:
Eddie Caram
New Limeco
Tel: +1 (305) 258-1611