VALUE NETWORK OF THE PERSIAN LIME IN MEXICO

Abstract

Mexico produces the three most important types of lime: Mexican, Persian, and
Italian. Persian lime (Citrus latifolia) is the second most important in planted area.
Forty-six percent of the production is intended for export. The objective of this
research was to analyze the Persian lime value network of the packing and
exporting companies. It was conducted at the main Persian lime producing area,
located in the central coastal region of the Gulf of Mexico. As an average, the
sampled companies were using 55% of their packing capacity. Most of them (83%)
work all year long. They have been from 6 to 15 years in operation. They
employed a mean of 41 people, thus they are medium-size enterprises. Fourteen
actors were complementing their business in production and marketing. The
relationship between packers and the small lime producing farmers was very
inequitable. Low prices were common for Persian lime producers.The fruits they
were packing came mainly from local producers (90%).Their main export
destinations were: United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan. Other regions are
increasing Persian lime production, threatening the marketing of the farmers of the
central coast of the Gulf of Mexico.