Lime Shortage Affects Cocktail Bars, Restaurants...and You

[JoNorvelleWalker]

Only??? 

 

Limes had been going up almost every time I went to the store.  Thankfully these were same price as last time but they looked much better.  Enjoying one in a zombie at the moment.

[Hassouni]

Haven't noticed any change in prices in the UK. Limes are 30p each in the supermarket or about 7 for £1 at the market.

 

Are yours from Mexico? Damn, 7 for a quid sounds like a steal...

[Plantes Vertes]

Are yours from Mexico? Damn, 7 for a quid sounds like a steal...

 

The supermarket ones are Brazilian; I'll ask at the market next time but not sure they'll know.

[Shelby]

I sent Mr. Shelby to the store with limes on the list to buy.  He came home lime-less.  They were a dollar a lime.

[Hassouni]

Oddly Whole Foods is being very un-Whole Paycheck and remains the cheapest place to get limes, cheaper even than the suburban ethnic joints. Hanging strong at 69 cents each. I suspect they were always that expensive, and they just haven't changed. Super H mart, on the other hand, used to have them for 12.5 cents each

[Dave the Cook]

We actually paid $1.50 each for four limes at a supermarket the other day (what can I say? we like daiquiris and margaritas and Pegu Clubs and and and . . . ). That store is still at 2/$3; a similar establishment a mile or so away has them at (the now seemingly reasonable price of) 79 cents. 

 

All from Mexico. My guess is that a few smart (or lucky) produce buyers locked in prices before the crisis, and now some producers or distributors are getting squeezed.

[Kerry Beal]

I decided it was time to make falernum the other day.  Got limes 5 for $2 (needed 10 for the recipe).  After removing the zest - juiced and froze the juice in a Tavoli silicone ice cube tray.  

[JoNorvelleWalker]

Last night limes were still a $1.50 -- haven't gone up in a while -- but they were marble sized.  OK, an exageration, they were the size of ping pong balls.  Very pretty though.

[Plantes Vertes]

£1 from the market this morning (US$0.24 each). The guy had no idea where they were from but they look just the same as the Brazilian ones in the supermarket.

 

 

I bought these from a cockney market stall holder; fascinating to see him speaking Urdu with the other market workers, in a cockney accent.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Plantes Vertes (log)

[weedy]

On tour and went out walking this morning.

$1.89 each in cleveland.

Getting crazy

Edited May 1, 2014 by weedy (log)

[choux]

At least they are advertised as "Juicy"! One of my $1.49 limes yielded less than 1/2 ounce juice from the whole thing. Am off maragaritas for now.

Edited May 1, 2014 by choux (log)

[FrogPrincesse]

$1.89 each - wow.

 

Yesterday at Trader Joe's. Bag of ~6.

 

 

 

[Hassouni]

Must...check...TJ's....

[brinza]

The Mrs. got limes at Bottom Dollar the other day for $0.50 each.

 

Jo, they have Bottom Dollar stores in NJ.  Is there one near you?

[Jaymes]

At least they are advertised as "Juicy"! One of my $1.49 limes yielded less than 1/2 ounce juice from the whole thing. Am off maragaritas for now.

 

Do you roll them, then microwave?  Works for me every time.  Even with really old dried up lemons and limes.

[JoNorvelleWalker]

The Mrs. got limes at Bottom Dollar the other day for $0.50 each.

 

Jo, they have Bottom Dollar stores in NJ.  Is there one near you?

 

Bottom Dollar is not a store I've heard of.  Unfortunately I am without a vehicle and there is but one limemonger within walking distance.  I dread what the price will be this week.

[chileheadmike]

I hit our local Mexican Grocery store yesterday. $1.99/lb. I got 4 and they came to a dollar. They're really small, and I haven't juiced them yet, but much cheaper than a dollar each in the large chain grocery store.

[Dave the Cook]

Some good news:

 

This week's sharp move lower comes amid increased supply from Mexico, where the majority of fruit consumed in the U.S. originates, experts said. Falling demand has also contributed to the recent easing.

Last week, Vision Import Group was selling limes for $60 to $70 for a 40-lb. box, said Raul Millan, the company's executive vice president. On Friday, prices averaged $40.

 

 

Full article here.

[Hassouni]

Huzzah! Now will they be the crappy, hard, tiny limes or nice big juicy ones...

[JoNorvelleWalker]

$2.99 tonight for three...of the tiniest little limes I'd ever seen.  (And I was glad to get them!)

[Shelby]

Much to my husband's dismay it was I that went grocery shopping yesterday.  I bought limes.  99 cents a piece.

[weinoo]

And...

 

 

Today, at the Essex St. Market.  And they look & feel nice and juicy.

[Hassouni]

When will you be in DC next, Mitch - can I place an order with you?

[lindag]

I recently purchased the EcoJeannie stainless lemon squeezer (works perfectly on limes too).  Best squeezer out there.  I replaced an older enameled model that was losing its finish.  It also did a poor job of squeezing since most of the juice squirted out the sides and onto the counter.

Edited May 26, 2014 by lindag (log)

[Toliver]

Saw the usual tiny key limes for sale at 89 cents each.

Then two bins over they were selling regular limes that looked to be the same size as the key limes for 79 cents each.