Tahiti lime is Colombia's third most exported fruit. Between January and November, Colombia exported 48,272 tons of Tahiti lime for 76.6 million dollars, registering a 32% and 66% increase in volume and value, respectively.
According to Procolombia, currently, 86 exporting companies from 17 departments cultivate Tahiti limes. These limes are exported to 23 international markets and the main destination is the United States. In the period analyzed, sales to the US amounted to 43.3 million dollars, i.e. 179% more than in the same period of 2021.
The US is followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Spain, France, Martinique, Curaçao, Canada, Turkey, and Italy. Exports are expected to continue to increase in the first half of this year after the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic opened their doors to this fruit.
Nick Bernal, from Seasons Farm Fresh, a company that imports and markets Colombian Tahiti lime in the United States, said there were two windows of opportunity to market this fruit in the country: between January and April and between August and September. The main variable that has helped sell this fruit in the US market is its price.
According to Bernal, Colombia has high-quality fruit; however, US consumers prefer fruit with an intense green color, which the Tahiti lime from Colombia still does not have, because it has a more yellow hue. Color does not affect the fruit's flavor or juiciness, but it is important to see what strategies can be developed in the future to continue conquering the US market.
Source: foodnewslatam.com
