CITRUS/CEPEA: Season End Drives Up Tahiti Lime Prices
According to the CEPEA research center at the University of São Paulo, Tahiti lime prices rebounded in March, reversing a decline observed since late last year. This surge is primarily due to reduced supply as the harvest season concludes. The average price by mid-March reached R$ 23.29 per 27.2 kg box, an 8.9% increase from February. Recent rainfall has hampered harvesting, and cloudy weather has led to lighter-colored fruits, potentially impacting market appeal.
The CEPEA research center at the University of São Paulo reports a significant rebound in Tahiti lime prices during March, reversing the downward trend observed between December of last year and February of this year. This price surge is primarily attributed to the reduced market supply as the harvest season approaches its end.
As of the 18th of this month (March), the average price for Tahiti limes has reached R$ 23.29 per 27.2 kg box, marking an 8.9% increase compared to the average recorded in February, which typically represents the peak harvesting period.
According to market agents consulted by CEPEA, persistent rainfall until last week hampered harvesting activities, which have only recently resumed. Furthermore, there are reports of lighter-colored fruits due to an increased number of cloudy days. This factor could diminish the fruit's market attractiveness and potentially complicate the commercialization of Tahiti limes. However, CEPEA researchers also note that the higher volume of rainfall earlier in the year has been beneficial for crop development.