Drug Cartels Drive Food Prices

For John, BLUF:  Lime Rickey?.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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In The International New York Times, Sunday edition, is an article "Is the Lime an Endangered Species?".  The author is Journalist David Karp.  Mr Karp is a columnist on farmers’ markets and produce, out in LA.

Actually, I don't think it is, but the price of limes and avocados are being impacted by the situation in Mexico.♠  The problems, like most market problems, show up in terms of cost:

A sudden and unprecedented shortage of limes has sent nationwide wholesale prices soaring from around $25 for a 40-pound carton in early February to more than $100 today, panicking lovers of Mexican food and drinks — and the restaurant and bar owners who cater to them. The culprits are weather, disease and even Mexican criminals.

Yes, there is panic.  I have heard the whispers amongst producers of end products and consumers.  However, there is supposed to be good news come summer.

All of this suggests an uncertain fate for limes, a fruit we’ve taken for granted for so long.  This time the crisis is likely to be temporary.  As new crops mature, prices should be back down near $30 by June, and there should be plenty of limes this summer, Mr. Vogel said.  But it is important to recognize that we do give up a measure of food security by importing from countries destabilized by the drug trade, corruption and unchecked crime.

But, for me, the question is the impact of Mexican drug cartels on immigration from and through Mexico.  As this interesting chart from Quartz shows, there is a lot of immigration ongoing.♥ 

Well there is also the question of if Mexico is approaching failed state status, and right on our Southern Border.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Frankly, my dear, I couldn't care less. Neither appeals to me. But could be replaced in our diets.  The issue isn't the two fruits, but the impact on immigration from Mexico.  If the drug cartels are messing around, people will wish to find new places to earn their living.
♥  For me one of the interesting questions is why immigrants, and especially illegal immigrants are coming here.  Is it for the climate?  Is it for the economic climate?  Do the immigrants understand that if they don't adapt to the ways of this (new to them) nation they will find that the economic opportunities they seek will evaporate?  Is this really all about revanchism?