Food manufacturers sourcing frozen lime for EU markets require strict cold chain compliance at -18°C throughout distribution. Nutrada lists GFSI-certified frozen lime suppliers from Mexico, Brazil, and Spain, filterable by IQF form, organic certification, and MOQ.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Citrus latifolia (Persian lime), C. aurantifolia (Key lime) |
| Available forms | IQF slices, IQF wedges, IQF zest, BQF |
| Origins | Mexico, Brazil, Spain |
| Certifications | BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000, EU Organic, GlobalGAP, Kosher, Halal |
| Common applications | Beverage garnish, cocktails, Thai/Mexican cuisine, ready meals |
| Packaging | 10-20 kg poly bags |
| MOQ | 20kg |
| Category | Frozen Fruits Wholesale |
| Form/Grade | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| IQF slices | Individual pieces frozen separately, no clumping | Foodservice beverage garnish, gin and tonic |
| IQF wedges | Quarter-section cuts, uniform sizing | Cocktail preparation, margaritas |
| IQF zest | Grated peel, concentrated citrus oils | Culinary flavoring, ready meal production |
Mexico is the world's largest lime exporter by volume, supplying around 97% of US lime imports and providing significant export volumes to Europe and Asia from Veracruz, Michoacán, and Oaxaca with year-round processing capacity across both Persian (Tahiti) and Key lime varieties.
For the European market specifically, Brazil is the dominant supplier, accounting for 80–90% of EU lime imports with Tahiti limes from the São Paulo region shipped by sea freight through Rotterdam and other Northern European ports.
Brazilian supply peaks November through March and is exported to European buyers by established operators with GFSI-compliant processing infrastructure.
Buyers sourcing from Brazil should factor in the 12.8% EU import tariff currently applied to Brazilian limes, unlike Mexico and Peru, which benefit from tariff-free EU access.
Frozen lime slices and wedges are commonly paired with frozen lemon by cocktail, foodservice, and beverage buyers sourcing a matched citrus garnish programme from a single processor.
Frozen lime requires continuous cold chain maintenance at -18°C, any temperature excursions cause ice crystal enlargement and texture degradation. Standard packaging uses 10-20 kg poly bags with nitrogen flushing to prevent oxidation of citrus oils. Check the supplier's blast freezing temperature on the process documentation; proper IQF processing requires initial freezing at -35 to -40°C before storage transfer. Shelf life extends to 18-24 months under consistent frozen storage conditions.
Mexico and Spain hold both EU Organic and USDA NOP certifications for frozen lime supply. Brazilian organic volumes are expanding but require advance contracting during peak harvest periods. Organic frozen lime commands premium pricing for peel-on applications where pesticide residue elimination matters most.
Consumer packaging formats include 250g retail pouches, 500g foodservice portions, and 1kg catering packs for restaurant distribution. Private label MOQ starts higher than bulk frozen, typically 500-1000 kg minimum. Fix the slice thickness specification before production since consumer applications require consistent garnish presentation.
Frozen lime manufacturers concentrate in Mexico's lime-growing regions and Brazil's expanding processing zones, both offering established cold chain logistics for European distribution. Request batch-specific certificates of analysis covering microbiological testing, citric acid content, and pesticide residue screening before confirming orders.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified frozen lime suppliers from Mexico, Brazil, and Spain, covering IQF slices, wedges, and zest across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 7, 2026
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