Ask for a lime and you may get a lemon.

You’ll see more lemons and fewer limes in bars and restaurants these days. 

That’s because there’s a lime shortage. The Mexican lime crop is in trouble – and that’s where 95% of our limes come from. Severe weather and disease has caused a shortage and criminal cartels are putting the squeeze on valuable supply. The limes that do make it to U.S. grocery stores probably won’t look as nice as usual – and they’ll cost more. Last year, a lime cost about .29 cents. Right now, they may cost as much as $1 each.

The limes you do find will most likely be smaller than you’re used to. Mexican growers have been forced to pull them off the trees early in an effort to protect them from lime crime rings who are ravaging the crops for profit while prices are high. Mexican lime supply is expected to recover in about four or five months.