Finger lime supply continues to be steady from California. "We're moving production from the Visalia ranch to Morro Bay and that will typically take us through December, even into January if it's not too wet," says Megan Shanley Warren of Shanley Farms, adding that when it does rain, it pauses harvesting for a few days.
© Shanley Farms
Supply is not only steady but heavy right now. "We have been really taking care of our trees and giving them lots of nutrition and water and they're just loaded with fruit which is nice to see," says Shanley Warren.
That said, plentiful supply can be challenging to move given consumers are still largely learning about the unique citrus item, which Shanley Farms is shipping two varieties of: Champagne, which is paler in color; and Emerald, which has brighter green citrus pearls inside. The company also grows Byron Sunrise which is a ruby red variety, though they experienced a heavy setback in production due to pests so an initial crop is at least two years out still.
Expanding distribution?
As for demand, it too is steady and distribution is largely within the foodservice world–particularly higher end restaurants. However recently there has been some new distribution within retail and that's a development that could continue. "I'm curious if the shift has finally happened where enough people at retail level know what to do with finger limes," says Shanley Warren. With the holiday season ahead, demand is anticipated to strengthen for finger limes.
© Shanley Farms
What would also help demand is continuous availability outside of the California season from June through January. With that in mind, the company is exploring imported finger limes from New Zealand which would ship in the months that California doesn't.
For more information:
Megan Shanley Warren
Shanley Farms
Tel: +1 (805) 323-6525
[email protected]
[email protected]
https://www.shanleyfarms.com/
