Mexican lime supply is running abundant right now, with both the old crop and new crop available simultaneously — a combination that's producing good size variety across the board. The downside: quality remains inconsistent, with rain, heat, and humidity driving oil spotting and skin breakdown across portions of the supply.
Summer demand for limes has faded, and cooler fall temperatures in the U.S. aren't doing much to lift consumption. The combination of heavy supply, soft demand, and uneven quality is pushing prices into the low $30s, according to International Citrus and Produce's Tony Campos.
Note that recently sent newsletters covered tight lime supply and stronger pricing earlier in the season — this represents a clear reversal of that trend. Watch for whether improving new-crop quality in the coming weeks helps stabilize the market, or whether continued softness pressures grower returns further heading into winter.