There is a fascinating article written by David Karp in the Sunday review section of the New York Times talking about how a variety of factors has resulted in skyrocketing prices on limes and avacados. One of those factors is the skyrocketing lawlessness in Mexico in which criminals linked to drug cartels are plundering the fruit and stealing trucks which transport the product to market.
Growers and shippers are now forced to hire armed guards to get their product to market.
Criminal cartels now control much of the produce on which US consumers rely. This includes the mango industry in which many growers are now too afraid to go into their own fields.
Mexico is the largest producer and exporter of limes providing 95% of US supplies.
