Dumbest Cartel ever-- the Lime Cartel

What next, a toilet paper cartel? I understand the money and profitability of drug cartels and oil cartels, but Lime Cartels?

This is seriously going to put a crimp in my summer, no Mojitos, no Gin Rickey's, inferior Sangria, no Margarita's.

Thanks a lot Mexico.

http://gizmodo.com/how-mexicos-drug-cartels-are-driving-up-the-price-of-l-1555572876

How Mexico's Drug Cartels Are Driving Up the Price of Limes




A lime shortage is threatening the U.S. food and beverage industry, with some bars and restaurants jacking up drink prices, charging extra for a slice—or refusing to serve the citrus at all. But there's another reason to rethink that margarita: The pricey limes you're buying from Mexico might be supporting drugs.

Bad winter weather and severe drought has obliterated many crops this year, but the lime is a victim of several special circumstances. Most limes consumed by the U.S are grown in Mexico, where a bacterial disease called huanglongbing (HLB) hasalready taken out a large number of trees. Then in December, cold and rain knocked blossoms off the trees, reducing the total number of fruits that matured.

Now, in the state of Michoácan, where most of Mexico's limes are grown, a kilogram of the citrus is worth more than a day's pay. Because limes have become so valuable, the trucks that transport them have become a target for drug cartels, which block the roads and hijack shipments, requiring money from the farmers to pass. Those extra costs are then passed along to consumers. This kind of agricultural extortion isn't limited to limes: Cartels can exert control over any type of valuable export. "Blood avocados" are also an issue in Michoácan, with the Knights Templar cartel terrorizing local farmers. And when the gangs get involved, farmers become too afraid to grow the crop, which reduces supply even more.

SEXPAND

The price of limes is about $100 per 40-pound box today, up from the usual price of around $25 a box this time of year. The cost has been devastating to not only American buyers, but also to Mexico's economy, which may have to import limes from outside its borders for the first time in history. And sadly, the issue is causing farmers to strip their trees prematurely simply to cash in on the high prices—which will only cause more problems down the line.

Here in the U.S., where a lime garnish is usually as ubiquitous as an ice cube, the shortage has forced bartenders to get creative. According to the cocktail site Alcademics, San Francisco's Tacolicious is offering a new version of their margarita that uses pasteurized lime and lemon juice, as well as a more expensive "Margarita del Cartel" with all fresh lime juice to pass along awareness of the issue. Other bars are using replacements like acid phosphate to mimic the sour flavors necessary for a proper gimlet.

Some suppliers are looking to buy fruit from Brazil, and we do grow a fair share of limes in California, although the crop doesn't come in until the summer. It's likely that prices will go down in the next few weeks, but still, this might be a good reason to switch to beer this Cinco de Mayo.

Two scenes from a citrus packing plant in La Ruana, in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

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Limes in my area are traditionally 10 for $1. Now they are 2 for $3. My little Asian market doesn't even sell them. Went out to dinner last night in Hoboken and they didn't have any limes, all our drinks were served with lemons.

I grow my own mint for my Mojitos, this is seriously going to suck if the supply doesn't return to normal soon.

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And now possibly a Sriracha shortage. WTF.

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The neighborhood around the plant in Cali is complaining about the fumes and want the plant shut down. Possibly moving to Texas.

That's a pro-business move.

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I have 2 bottles in the fridge, so I should be good for a while. I may stock up and buy 2 more this weekend. Just to be safe, I'm planting 6 chili pepper plants this summer instead of 3.

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Dammit. I haven't had lime since last week, I made the plunge and bought 2 of them for $3, I needed it for some thai peanut sauce I concocted for some rice paper spring rolls I made

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I don't grow my own bell peppers, just chilies (chili de arbol).

What do you put in your sofrito? I go way over the top with mine.

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Red and green bell peppers, onion, celery, carrots, parsley, cilantro, garlic, hand crushed san marzano tomatoes, bay leaves, white wine cooked out, cracked sea salt and pepper.

Depending what I'm using it in, I'll add rosemary or thyme or oregano or paprika (sweet or hot smoked).

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I made Posole yesterday with all the fixins--cabbage, avacado, radishes, tortilla strips but no lime. Didn't miss it, but I'm going to start getting testy in June.

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Yeah, heard that. Good news. Appears either the City came to it's senses or a large bribe exchanged hands.

Limes are still an issue.

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Wow, spoke too soon. Limes were still 2 for $3 this past weekend. Perfect timing, having a big party/BBQ next weekend, wasn't sure what the main beverage was going to be.

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