Lime Prices – Historical Graph
- The average price in the past 3 days is
- The average price in the past 7 days is
- The average price in the past 30 days is
- The average price in the past 365 days is
Popular questions about lime prices:
Lime Prices Explained
Lime prices presented significant fluctuations due to the worsening unfavorable weather conditions that affected the farmers. In Brazil, the country’s produce is of moderate quality due to insufficient rainfall, translating to modest prices. Similarly, Mexico’s heatwave reduced its yield, affecting its exports.
This resulted in soaring lime prices across European and North American markets, with the U.S. registering a 16% value increase.
Why are lime prices fluctuating?
1. Weather Condition
Lime trees require warm weather with consistent rainfall for optimal growth. Consequently, when there is a drought or excessive rainfall, lime trees may not produce as much fruit as usual. Overall, severe weather events damage the crop, reduce yields, and affect overall supply, leading to lemon price variations.
2. Transportation Costs
Most of the limes available in North America come from Mexico, Peru, or other parts of Central and South America where they grow in abundance due to favorable weather conditions. The distance required to travel this good relies on energy sources. Hence, any changes in fuel prices or disruptions in shipment networks directly influence the cost of transporting limes from farms to markets.
Additionally, higher transportation costs result in increased lime prices for consumers.
3. Production Costs
When the costs associated with producing this citrus fruit like labor, fertilizers, pesticides, and water rise, producers and suppliers often adjust the prices of limes to ensure their profitability remains intact. As a result, they pass the increased production expenses to consumers, ultimately spiking their prices in the market.
4. Pest and Disease Outbreak
Pest and disease outbreaks in one region also impact its global supply. For example, if a major lime-producing region experiences a significant outbreak, it leads to supply shortages that knock its value not only in that place but also in other parts of the world that depend on lime imports. Thus, these factors give way to higher lime prices due to tight supply because of the outbreaks.
5. Market Demand
Higher demand, driven by consumer preferences, health trends, population growth, marketing efforts, and culinary trends is an emerging trend that slowly keeps lime prices elevated. Conversely, a decrease in need or the availability of substitutes puts downward pressure on lime prices.
6. Global Trade
Global trade affects lime prices by connecting various lime-producing regions with consumers around the world. For instance, trade policies, tariffs, and import/export restrictions imposed by various countries have a direct hold on the flow of limes across borders. High tariffs on lime imports make imported limes more expensive for consumers, which leads to higher prices for domestically produced limes.
On the other hand, relaxed trade barriers stimulate competition and potentially lower prices.
Which variables impact the price of lime?
- Weather Condition
- Transportation Costs
- Production Costs
- Pest and Disease Outbreak
- Market Demand
- Global Trade
- Production Costs
Where does lime come from?
Lime is a citrus fruit that is round and green in color. Typically grown in tropical and subtropical areas for its edible acidic fruits. Additionally, it is similar to a lemon but greener, smaller, and with a distinctive acid flavor. Here are some common types of limes:
1. Calamansi Lime – The Philippine limes are a hybrid type of lime fruit that looks like a small green lime but has orange-colored flesh.
2. Persian Lime – This citrus variety is larger compared to other limes. It is bright green, usually seedless, and known for its less acidic and slightly sweet flavor.
3. Key Lime – Smaller and rounder than Persian limes, it becomes yellow-green to green when ripe and often with seeds. Moreover, it is known for its intense, tart, and aromatic flavor.
4. Kaffir Lime – Kaffir is a dark green lemon variety with a small, round, bumpy, and rough exterior. Popular in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cuisines, its leaves and zest are used in cooking due to its unique and strong citrus flavor.
5. Sweet Lime – Larger and rounder than regular limes, it is yellow to pale green. Additionally, it is sweeter and less acidic compared to other limes.
6. Finger Lime – This elongated and cylindrical lemon variety comes in green to red, pink, yellow, or black colors.
What are the uses of lime?
Limes are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients. Moreover, they help boost immunity, reduce the chance of heart disease, prevent kidney stones, aid iron absorption, and promote healthy skin. Here are some key industrial uses of lime:
1. Culinary Uses – Lime is a key ingredient in many sauces, salsas, guacamole, and other dips, providing a fresh and tangy taste. Additionally, its juice is a popular ingredient in beverages like cocktails, mocktails, lemonades, sodas, and infused water, offering a refreshing taste.
2. Cleaning and Deodorizing – Lime juice is a natural cleaner and deodorizer, often used to clean surfaces, remove stains, and neutralize odors.
3. Beauty and Skincare – It’s a common ingredient in skincare products due to its astringent and rejuvenating properties. It is present in making masks, scrubs, lotions, and hair care products.
4. Health and Wellness – Lime is believed to have health benefits, including boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, and supporting weight loss.
What is the future price of lime?
Lime’s general application is used as an ingredient for the production of citric acid, lime oil, lime juice, and other products that are used for cooking and organic cleaning will generate marketability for this commodity.
The rising interest in health benefits and cleaning applications will be the main reason for its marketability. Lime’s tangy flavor adds flavor to guacamole, ceviche, and mojitos. Its citrusy zest is important among global beverage companies. Additionally, the lime rind finds extensive application in the skincare industry due to its lightening properties that treat skin pigmentation and dark spots.
Thus, the long-term outlook for the lime market is positive. Here is a rough price estimate of lime in 2030:
High-quality lime – $600-$800 per ton
Medium-quality lime – $400-$600 per ton
Low-quality lime – $200-$400 per ton