Latest News From Limes

TIPA reacts to USDA changes in reporting lime prices
TIPA reacts to USDA changes in reporting lime prices

USDA Market News will now report lime prices similar to the manner in which apple, cucumber and bell pepper prices are reported.

Fresh Trends 2023: Lime purchases on an upswing
Fresh Trends 2023: Lime purchases on an upswing

The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 reported that 28% of consumers said they purchased limes in the previous year.

Wonderful Citrus introduces new display bins for seedless lemons
Wonderful Citrus introduces new display bins for seedless lemons

Along with new display bins in its marketing efforts, the company has launched a digital campaign with culinary-led creative to generate brand affinity and emphasize the ease of cooking and baking with no seeds.

Mexican new crop limes may loosen market
Mexican new crop limes may loosen market

Tony Campos, owner of International Citrus & Produce, says a new crop of Mexican limes is expected in mid-April, mainly sizes 230s and 250s and trending smaller.

Why limes are key
Why limes are key

I have been writing about food for more than a dozen years and lived within a three-hour drive from the Florida Keys for more than 30 years. How could I have never done this?

USDA shares pest risk assessment for imports of limes from Brazil
USDA shares pest risk assessment for imports of limes from Brazil

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh Tahiti limes for consumption from Brazil into the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Lime handlers see benefits with Hazel technology
Lime handlers see benefits with Hazel technology

Chicago-based Hazel Technologies, Inc. is slowing the yellowing process of limes for lime growers and wholesalers across the U.S., according to a news release.

Italy wants access to the U.S. market for finger limes
Italy wants access to the U.S. market for finger limes

The Government of Italy has asked USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of fresh Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) for consumption into the United States.

Diversified supply gives SiCar Farms options for customers
Diversified supply gives SiCar Farms options for customers

Limes from Mexico, Colombia and Peru give SiCar Farms plenty of options for consumers, said Jackie Carrillo, director of sales and marketing for the McAllen, Texas-based company.

Lemons
U.S. lemon/lime exports drop 15% in 2021

U.S. exports of lemons and limes have been trending lower in recent years, and 2021 saw a 15% decline in combined exports. 

Lime imports, per-capita consumption continue to rise
Lime imports, per-capita consumption continue to rise

U.S. imports of limes have been rising steadily, and Mexico accounts for the lion’s share of all imported lime volume.

Wonderful Citrus promotes seedless lemons, limes
Wonderful Citrus promotes seedless lemons, limes

Wonderful Citrus has multiple sourcing options for both lemons and limes, company executives report. 

Limoneira Co. Announces Joint Venture with Wileman Bros. & Elliott Inc.
Limoneira Co. Announces Joint Venture with Wileman Bros. & Elliott Inc.

Limoneira Co. announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wileman Bros. & Elliott, Inc., to come together to sell their combined citrus volumes under the One World of Citrus Alliance.

Sunkist expects strong consumer interest in citrus to continue
Sunkist expects strong consumer interest in citrus to continue

Citrus marketers have benefitted from great consumer interest during the COVID-19 pandemic and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon, Christina Ward thinks.

Fresh Trends shows heavy users of limes
Fresh Trends shows heavy users of limes

Older, higher-income Hispanic consumers living in the Western U.S. are the most frequent purchasers of fresh limes, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2021 survey.

Limoneira offers full scope of lemons and limes
Limoneira offers full scope of lemons and limes

It has been a good year at retail for lemons and limes, and Limoneira has been in prime position to fulfill demand.

U.S. fresh exports slip in 2020, USDA reports

The value of U.S. apple exports fell 11% in 2020, but government trade statistics show that orange exports increased in value by 8%.

Amy Sowder
Top 4 kitchen gadgets for fresh produce

We haven’t had any opportunities to grab booth swag at in-person trade shows in almost a year, but there are a few produce gadgets I’ve held onto from shows in years past.

Tropical fruits and staple favorites rejoin PMG top 20

Pummelo, oranges and strawberries carried the top three spots on PMG for the third week in a row, while lettuce rose three places to No. 4, and apples gained four spots to complete the top 5.

Exports play important role for many citrus marketers
Exports play important role for many citrus marketers

Exports play a role in the marketing plans of many citrus grower-shippers, but that role can vary from company to company and season to season.

Garlic and grapes make a comeback in PMG top 20

Pummelos, oranges and strawberries maintained the top three spots on PMG the week of Jan. 11, but mandarins rose from No. 11 the previous week to No. 4, and cabbage, previously No. 12, moved up to the No. 5 spot.

Citrus shines during pandemic
Citrus shines during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged produce grower-shippers throughout the U.S., but a silver lining for the citrus industry is consumers’ perception of citrus as immunity boosters.

Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season
Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season

Consumers typically turn to citrus to load up on vitamin C during cold and flu season, but this year, suppliers hope they’ll stock up on even more grapefruit, oranges, mandarins and lemons to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Strawberries catch eyes on PMG

Pummelos and oranges maintained the top two spots on PMG the first week of January, but strawberries rejoined the list at No. 3.

DiSilva Fruit, Morning Kiss Organic offer California citrus

DiSilva Fruit and Morning Kiss Organic are ready to deliver delicious, vitamin-packed organic and conventional citrus for the coming citrus season.

Colombian packinghouse paves way for La Dona limes to the U.S.
Colombian packinghouse paves way for La Dona limes to the U.S.

La Dona Fruit has opened a packinghouse in northern Colombia, opening an export channel for sending limes to the U.S. and other countries.

District 3 citrus season begins for Veg-Fresh Farms

Veg-Fresh Farms, Corona, Calif., is starting its winter citrus season.

La Dona Fruit's new 40-pound box of limes.
La Dona Fruit starts exporting limes, avocados to the U.S.

La Dona Fruit, a Colombian grower and exporter, has launched a colorful band and packaging for avocados and limes for the U.S. and Europe.

SiCar Farms ships Mexican lemons
SiCar Farms ships Mexican lemons

SiCar Farms, McAllen, which began its Mexican lemon season in July, will be shipping through December.

Officials seize drugs in produce shipments at California port 
Officials seize drugs in produce shipments at California port 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at a California port of entry recently intercepted drugs in shipments of fresh produce, including almost 7 ½ tons of marijuana in a load of limes.

Listeria on packing equipment sparks Freshouse citrus, potato recall
Listeria on packing equipment sparks Freshouse citrus, potato recall

Freshouse II LLC, Salisbury, N.C., is recalling citrus and potatoes that were packed on equipment on which Listeria monocytogenes was detected during routine testing.

Robinson Fresh is delivering limes treated with Apeel Sciences' shelf-life extending technology to Wakefern Food Corp. stores.
Robinson Fresh distributes Apeel limes to Wakefern stores

Apeel Sciences, Santa Barbara, Calif., is expanding distribution of limes treated to extend shelf life through Robinson Fresh.

Drought in Mexico takes toll on citrus but exports to U.S. preserved

Drought conditions in Mexico’s citrus regions have cut the country’s 2020 orange crop potential by nearly half, but fresh citrus shipments to the U.S. will only suffer minor reductions, according to the USDA.

‘Limes’ turn out to be $8.4 million of marijuana

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Otay Mesa, Calif., discovered more than 5 ½ tons of marijuana instead of the limes that were listed on the manifest.

Domestic citrus kicks off summer on high note
Domestic citrus kicks off summer on high note

Good news has been a rarity since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic broke out early this year. But there appears to be a bright spot when it comes to U.S. citrus sales.

Women in Produce — Julie DeWolf
Women in Produce — Julie DeWolf

If you think accountants are boring, you haven’t met Julie DeWolf, director of marketing operations for Sunkist Growers Inc. in Valencia, Calif.

Lime sales trending upward

Sales of fresh limes seem to be trending upward. At Delano, Calif.-based Wonderful Citrus, Elena Rhodes, director of product management, said in mid-April that sales were up 13% year over year.

Doc’s Organics to supply Veg-Fresh Farms with citrus
Doc’s Organics to supply Veg-Fresh Farms with citrus

Veg-Fresh Farms, Corona, Calif., has an exclusive partnership with Doc’s Organics, distributing organic lemons, grapefruit, minneolas and limes.

What's hot on Produce Market Guide? Pink pumpkins, cabbage and citrus
What's hot on Produce Market Guide? Pink pumpkins, cabbage and citrus

Pumpkins maintained their six-week reign on Produce Market Guide last week and got even more love from the platform's users as pink pumpkins entered the top 20 at No. 12.

Kroger expands Apeel avocado program, adds limes, asparagus

Kroger is rolling out avocados with Apeel Sciences’ shelf-life extender in 1,100 stores, and plans to stock Apeel limes and asparagus in Cincinnati stores this fall.

Cocaine found in lime shipment at Texas port of entry
Cocaine found in lime shipment at Texas port of entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Pharr, Texas, recently stopped a load of limes containing $1.86 million in cocaine.

Apeel Sciences has agreements with six avocado suppliers, and others with growers of asparagus, limes and apples.
Apeel Sciences reveals supplier network

Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Apeel Sciences has announced supplier partnerships that company leaders say will enable a year-round supply of Apeel avocados, limes, asparagus, and apples for U.S. retailers and consumers.

SiCar Farms opens South Texas facility, touts sustainability
SiCar Farms opens South Texas facility, touts sustainability

SiCar Farms has completed a distribution center in McAllen, Texas, and the facility, which can handle three times the previous South Texas capacity, uses conservation processes that SiCar is rolling out company wide.

File photo
Chili pepper and lime demand grows on Produce Market Guide

Last week on Produce Market Guide searches for limes and chili peppers increase significantly.

Robinson Fresh expects more limes
Robinson Fresh expects more limes

Mexico’s supply of limes will start increasing around mid-May as the harvest transitions from the winter crop to the spring crop, said Michael Castagnetto, vice president of sourcing for Robinson Fresh.

Mexican citrus exports to increase, USDA reports

Mexican citrus production and trade should increase this year, a new report predicts.

London Fruit offers limes, avocados in clamshells
London Fruit offers limes, avocados in clamshells

London Fruit is offering more items in clamshells, starting with avocados and limes.

CBP snags drugs worth $4.2 million from produce load
CBP snags drugs worth $4.2 million from produce load

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr International Bridge in Texas found and seized $4.2 million worth of hard narcotics from a commercial trailer carrying fresh limes.

Lime prices on the move

Prices for limes have risen noticeably in the last month, and suppliers listed seasonal factors, weather and the ongoing lemon shortage as pieces of the puzzle.

SiCar Farms growth leads to South Texas expansion
SiCar Farms growth leads to South Texas expansion

SiCar Farms, Mission, Texas, is building a new distribution center in McAllen that will handle three times the current production capacity.