Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico - Last week, Jalisco sent the first shipment of 20 tons of limes to South Korea, seeking to consolidate its national leadership in the production of quality citrus exports.

The shipment, which the government of Jalisco considers of exceptional importance, left the packing facility of Citricos Selectos San Martin for the port of Manzanillo, from whence it was shipped.

"It's the most important Mexican shipment of limes to Korea. With it, Jalisco has become the leader in lime quality to enter the most demanding markets," stated the head of the Ministry of Rural Development (Seder), Hector Padilla.

He also said there were 5,000 hectares in 35 municipalities of the state engaged in the production of limes, and that the projected annual sales to Asian countries would amount to 12,000 tons.

According to the head of Seder, the limes produced in Jalisco are sold for 4 pesos per kilogram in the U.S. and are being exported to Korea at a price of 8 to 9 pesos per kilogram.

He added that in recent years, Jalisco's volume of Persian lime exports have increased from 3,000 to between 10,000 to 12,000 tons a year, and that most of their production was sent to the United States.

"The 127 producers forming this entity are clear that together they will export up to 12,000 tons per year... We will further strengthen our brand, the Jalisco brand that distinguishes us in the US, Germany, Poland, Holland and now in Korea," said Governor Aristoteles Sandoval.

International Recognition

The municipality of San Martin Hidalgo, Jalisco has an area of 700 hectares devoted to the production of limes and it exports 80% of what it produces, mainly to the United States.

Jalisco grows its Persian limes on farms located at 1,500 meters above sea level that, according to Seder, have an ideal number of cool hours each day to give the limes the dark green color that is highly valued by Asian buyers.