COVILLI SUPPORTS FAMILY FARMERS WITH FAIR TRADE LIME PROGAM
Excerpt from Organic Produce Newsletter March 28, 2024
Started in 2015, Covilli’s Fair Trade organic lime program has shown consistent success, with steady demand overall since its inception. Covilli’s lime growers are located in two states in Mexico—Veracruz and Yucatán—and both are family-owned operations that were farming organically long before partnering with Covilli.
“Our Veracruz grower has an interesting story as he started his agriculture career as a butcher and accidentally stepped into lime production in the ‘80s,” Madrigal said. “A customer offered him a small lime orchard outside Veracruz, and he jumped at the opportunity as he always appreciated the farming way of life. Over the years, he slowly built his farms from the ground up to include a packinghouse and multiple locations.”
Madrigal said his Yucatán grower “caught the love-for-ag bug” after working with his mother at a local fruit stand. He eventually became a niche wholesaler servicing the Riviera Maya in the days before it was a major resort destination.
“Several years later, he achieved his dream of owning and operating an organic lime orchard,” Madrigal said. “He is a source of employment for many locals and is consistently innovating organic fertilization and integrated pest management techniques.”
Madrigal noted that this year’s organic crop has been affected by a changing climate. “We saw blooms early, yet delayed sizing. Luckily, since we do source from two distinct locations, that tends to smooth the production curve, making for a more consistent supply for our customer base. Veracruz this year has seen a particularly cooler winter and therefore tighter production overall.”
He noted “the last couple of months have seen generally elevated pricing due to a cooler-than-average winter in several key production areas. But that trend is now changing as we see more production coming on line.”
When it comes to merchandising and marketing advice, Madrigal said education around lime ripeness is key. “There is strong focus on dark green limes—everyone always looks for the greenest lime they can find,” he said. “We always like to remind our retailers and customers alike that the juiciest, ready-to-enjoy limes are typically a bit yellow and have some give to the touch.”