Mexican Persian lime prices in the U.S. showed a 40% price decrease in the first week of April, website Oem.com.mx reported.

Persian Lime Product System president César Cortés Bello, said the price of a box of limes has dropped from US$26 at the end of March to US$15 last week.

"This week we will see if it falls more or increases, but we have confidence that at least it will stay the same," he was quoted as saying.

He said exports also declined since week 12 from 408,000 boxes to 315,000 in week 13, and then to 250,000 boxes in week 14.

Cortés Bello said unfortunately some producers had been cutting off very small limes and this had affected the quality of exports to the U.S.

He reported that so far lime exports to the U.S. were up by 18% and Veracruz has become the top state in Mexico for citrus exports overtaking Colima and Michoacán.

"Although it will not be like 2011, which was a historic year for us, this year will be stable," he added.

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