When it comes to limes, “we work almost exclusively with the Mexican origin,” explains Kevin Guinet, product manager at Total Produce Indigo. “We have loyal clients for this origin. We also made this choice to remain loyal to the producers we have always worked with in this group.” The company offers to its clients different lines of Mexican limes, such as conventional bulk in calibers 48/54/60, as well as nets of 1 kilo or 500 grams, or even untreated limes.
Brazilian and Mexican limes: stars on the French market
There is a lot of lime from Brazil and Mexico on the European market. The Peruvian, Guatemalan and Colombian origins are also present, but more rare in France. “These origins have not really found their place on the French market. Last week, for example, 38 containers of Mexican limes, 101 of Brazilian limes and less than 10 containers of Colombian and Peruvian limes were imported to Europe.”
Beginning of the high season
“The high season for Mexican limes is now really starting. Our producers are able to supply us all year round, but they are in low season from mid-January to the beginning of May, when they have very little fruit. Just to give an idea, they send approximately 3-4 containers per week to Europe during the low season. It is quite rare to find Mexican limes between January/February and April/May on the French market.”
The campaign during the low season was complicated due to the weather conditions, but since the beginning of the high season, Kevin indicates that the harvest has been going well. “There are a lot of fruits available, and the quality is also good. We are expecting a peak of production in July.”
A summer product
The demand for limes is much higher in the summer. “Lately, for example, some clients have ordered for the Ascension weekend and for the Fête de la Musique, when limes are used extensively for the confection of very popular cocktails such as mojitos, ti-punchs or caïpirinhas.” But for the past few years, the lime has become more than just a festive product in the eyes of the consumers. The citrus fruit is getting more popular on the French market, thanks to the increasing popularity of exotic dishes, where it often appears (such as poke, ceviche, raw fish etc ...).
For more information:
Kevin Guinet
Total Produce Indigo
ZAC du Griffon, 511 Route de la SEDS,
Bâtiment 14
13127 Vitrolles, France
Phone: + 33 (0) 442 416 680
Fax: + 33 (0) 442 791 883
k.guinet@indigo-fruit.com
www.totalproduce-indigo.fr