Volume of finger limes is up now that the harvest of the specialty citrus item is hitting its peak.
“We’ve been shipping for more than two months, but we really didn’t put anything out because we only recently caught up to our orders,” says Jim Shanley of Morro Bay, Ca.-based Shanley Farms. Finger lime production begins in June. “We’ve been adding some trees and we have some coming into production for the first time this year. So the increase in demand has been readily met. I think the market is fully supplied.”
Indeed, demand for the item has seen serious growth. “Our year-on-year direct consumer sales are up about 40 percent,” says Shanley. “We still lag at retail but the time is coming. I think there’s enough exposure now that we’re seeing more interest.”
New awareness efforts
Shanley continues to put emphasis on getting the word out about finger limes via a variety of mediums. Last year, its product was distributed in Blue Apron meals and this year, finger limes can be found in another Canadian meal kit company. It also has increased its efforts in sampling. “We just did a sampling program with Lunds & Byerlys in the Minneapolis area. We’re actively seeking out retail partners who have an infrastructure program for sampling,” says Shanley.
Interestingly, Shanley sees greater interest in finger limes in Europe and Canada. “I think the Canadian market is more fruit-conscious,” he says. “Anecdotally, in my trips to Canada, I’ve seen mangosteens and rambutans and all sorts of things you don’t typically see in a U.S. grocery store. I see them in fruit markets in France, too.”
He’s also confident that long-term the product, which hasn’t seen a change in pricing in some five years, will have wide appeal. “It won’t be seen everywhere until people know it so it’s a bit of a chicken and egg situation,” he says.
For more information:
Jim Shanley
Shanley Farms
Tel: +1 (805) 323-6525
info@shanleyfarms.com
www.shanleyfarms.com