European lime prices rise on scarce supply as North America faces a glut

European buyers face scarce fruit and high prices

The global lime market is moving in sharply different directions. FreshPlaza reports that European supply remains limited and prices are elevated, while North America has abundant fruit and weak demand. Weather problems in key producing regions and changes in international trade flows are reinforcing the divergence.

In Italy, purchase prices range from €11 to €13 depending on size and quality. The increase has lasted about a month and a half, reflecting limited availability at origin, quality problems and supplies being redirected toward markets including the United States during the football World Cup. Brazil has consequently been left as Europe’s main source, although the first arrivals from Mexico and Colombia are entering the market and Spain’s campaign is expected to begin in about 15 days.

Prices are expected to remain high for at least the next two weeks, with only limited movement according to weekly demand. Italian consumption is weak and erratic: buyers are either withdrawing or choosing visually lighter fruit instead of premium super-green limes to reduce costs.

Brazilian weather reshapes European supply

Brazil remains Europe’s leading supplier, supplemented at times by Mexico, Peru and Colombia. FreshPlaza says excessive rainfall associated with El Niño has affected Brazilian production during what would normally be a drier period, reducing available volumes and lifting origin prices. Adverse weather in Brazil and Colombia has also reduced yields, particularly for organic fruit.

The current increase is being driven mainly by origin prices rather than logistics. Import costs remain close to the level recorded in the same period last year. Higher fuel prices and surcharges have made ocean transport more expensive, but expected tariff reductions under trade agreements with Mercosur have partly offset that increase.

Spanish and wider European selling prices have recovered as stronger seasonal demand meets higher costs at origin. A major Spanish importer and trader quoted by FreshPlaza placed current prices at €11-13 per carton, depending on size and brand—the highest levels seen in about two years. The company is expanding airfreight programs to supplement seaborne supply.

Volatility replaces predictable seasonal corrections

The Dutch market illustrates how rapidly conditions can reverse. An importer told FreshPlaza that abundant Brazilian supply kept prices and margins under pressure during much of 2025. Availability then tightened in January and February 2026, causing rapid price increases and temporary shortages. From March to mid-June, high Brazilian volumes created another extended period of oversupply and low prices, before the market began recovering in the second half of June.

Spain followed a similar pattern. Demand was solid early in the year, but excess supply emerged in April and May. Consumption returned to more typical summer levels from June as warmer weather and major sporting events supported demand from bars, terraces and households, where limes are widely used in drinks and cocktails.

Import discipline supports German prices

Germany has recorded two price peaks in the first seven months of the year. After losses in 2025 caused by high FOB costs and low European market prices, many importers reduced spot-market volumes. That caution helped restore more typical price fluctuations, although renewed purchasing during rallies kept prices elevated for longer.

Recent shortages coincided with supermarket promotions and stable demand. Wholesale prices remain high, supported particularly by food-service consumption, with the largest increase recorded in calendar week 26. Supply comes mainly from Latin America and South Africa. As volumes begin to recover and European holidays weaken consumption, the next price direction will depend on whether returning supply outpaces uncertain seasonal demand.