"Good lime market this year was crucial"

The market for limes is generally all year round good. According to Elena Rogojnikova, senior buyer at Hagé International, the high prices were necessary to compensate for the losses of last year. "We had a bad market almost all of 2015 up until the beginning of this year. An excess of limes was on the market and even parties that are not in the lime business had limes in stock. This caused massive pressure on prices and losses for Brazil as well as the Netherlands. That is why having a good market this year was necessary."

"The prices have decreased a little bit compared to the spring, but a price level of around 10 euros is not so bad. Brazilian products are currently of a lower quality than usual because of the cold weather, but they are acceptable. There will be more limes on the market over the next few weeks, causing a higher price pressure," says Elena. 

There are also limes on the market from Mexico. "Mexico is usually seen as a supplier of bright green limes, but the past few months they had a more Brazilian colour. Normally the Mexican limes are more expensive than the Brazilian, but the past few weeks there was no significant difference between the origins," says the importer. "Traditionally there is a lime shortage from the end of August/begin of September, so we hope that the prices will be at a higher level."

Usually the summer stimulates the lime consumption, for example for cocktails, salads, and guacamole. "This year we have not yet had tropical weather, but the demand is still good. Limes are becoming more conventional in the market. People in Europe, and even Russia, now know their way around this exotic citrus fruit!"