Yup, no hiding the price of limes has surpassed gas prices. I must say the price jump came quick. As Mexico produces 95% of the US lime supply and Mexican farmers have had their crops damaged by storms and citrus disease, these poor lime farmers have been required to pay higher taxes to the local drug cartels in order to export their product to the US. According to the US Department of Agriculture, the average price of one lime during April 2014 was 56 cents, a vast increase from last year’s 31 cents. Restaurant and bar owners have seen case pricing jump from 100% to 135% from last year, causing many restaurants to 86 limes and replace drink garnishes with locally grown lemons to save costs. Lemons are a hard substitute for drinks like Mojitos or Caipirinhas, causing drinkers to find this difficult to swallow. The forecast is not uplifting, as Mexican lime farmers need time to replant and grow out dead crops, hoping that next winter will not bring freezing temperatures. Here’s hoping that one day we’ll find the lime in the coconut once again…
