Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormClarified juice concentrate (liquid)
Industry PositionProcessed Fruit Ingredient (citrus juice concentrate for manufacturing)
Market
Clarified lemon juice concentrate specified at 400 g/L acidity (“400 GPL”) is a high-acid citrus ingredient used by beverage and food manufacturers. Mexico has a large “limón” sector (including limón persa, limón agrio/mexicano, and limón italiano), and limón is explicitly used domestically for juices and concentrates as well as for fresh consumption. For buyers requiring true lemon juice (Citrus limon), contracts typically need to be explicit on botanical source because Mexican “limón” supply spans multiple citrus types. Supply availability and cost can be disrupted by citrus diseases such as Huanglongbing (HLB) and by security disruptions in key producing areas (notably Michoacán).
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter of limón (lemons/limes) and a supplier of citrus-based ingredients
Domestic RoleDomestic food and beverage manufacturing input; limón is used locally for juices and concentrates
SeasonalityFresh limón availability is reported highest in the second half of the year; processing into concentrate can smooth availability for industrial users but remains exposed to harvest and disease cycles.
Specification
Primary VarietyLimón italiano (yellow lemon) — when product is specified as true lemon (Citrus limon)
Secondary Variety- Limón persa
- Limón agrio / limón mexicano
Physical Attributes- Clarified concentrate: pulp, oil, and suspended matter removed (clear/low-turbidity profile).
Compositional Metrics- “400 GPL” is commonly specified as 400 grams per liter acidity (as citric acid equivalent); contract specs often also define Brix and pH ranges.
- Clarified specs commonly target no oil and no pulp (supplier-specific; verify COA).
Packaging- Bulk packaging commonly uses 55-gallon drums with polyethylene liners or food-grade pails (supplier-specific).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Citrus sourcing in major limón-producing states → juice extraction → clarification (pulp/oil removal) → concentration (water removal) → bulk packing (drums/pails or other bulk formats) → cold storage → domestic industrial delivery and/or export logistics
Temperature- Commercial 400 GPL clarified concentrate is commonly shipped and stored frozen per supplier specifications; temperature control is a key quality lever.
Shelf Life- Supplier specifications commonly cite multi-month to ~24-month frozen shelf life (verify contract/spec sheet and storage conditions).
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Plant Health HighCitrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is identified by Mexico’s SENASICA as one of the most devastating phytosanitary problems for citrus, capable of reducing yield/quality and even killing trees; escalations can disrupt raw material availability and trigger movement restrictions affecting supply to concentrate processors.Monitor SENASICA citrus pest communications and supplier biosecurity programs; diversify citrus sourcing across multiple states and maintain contingency inventory/dual-source contracts for high-acid citrus concentrate.
Security HighOrganized-crime extortion and violence affecting the limón industry in Michoacán has been reported to disrupt normal business activity, including pressure on grower/packer operations and episodic shutdowns, creating supply and logistics disruption risk for citrus-derived ingredients.Avoid single-region dependency (especially Michoacán); conduct supplier security and ethical due diligence; use contracted alternative origins/regions and flexible logistics plans.
Regulatory Compliance MediumMisalignment between label/claims (e.g., “lemon”) and botanical source is a practical compliance and dispute risk in Mexico’s multi-citrus “limón” context; buyers may require authenticity and identity checks for Citrus limon-based lemon juice products.State botanical species and authenticity expectations in the contract; use recognized industry reference guidelines and analytical testing where appropriate.
Food Fraud MediumCitrus juice authenticity assessment is a known industry issue; buyers may scrutinize lemon juice/concentrate identity parameters to detect adulteration or species substitution (e.g., lime blending) and to verify quality attributes.Require COAs and conduct periodic third-party authenticity testing aligned with industry reference guidelines for lemon juice.
Logistics MediumIf shipped frozen (a common commercial approach for 400 GPL clarified concentrate), temperature excursions or reefer/border delays can cause quality deviations and customer rejections.Use validated cold-chain SOPs, temperature loggers, and pre-agreed claims procedures; align shipping temperature, packaging format, and shelf-life assumptions in the contract.
Labor & Social- Security and community impacts associated with organized-crime extortion and violence affecting limón producers/packers in Michoacán can disrupt operations and raise duty-of-care concerns for buyers.
Standards- AIJN Code of Practice / Reference Guideline for Lemon Juice (quality and authenticity parameter framework used by the juice industry)
FAQ
What does “400 GPL” mean for clarified lemon juice concentrate?In commercial specifications, “400 GPL” commonly refers to acidity strength expressed as about 400 grams per liter (as citric acid equivalent). Buyers usually pair this with additional contract specs such as Brix, pH, and a requirement that the product is clarified (pulp/oil removed).
What is the biggest Mexico-specific supply risk for lemon/lime-derived concentrate inputs?A major risk is citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), which Mexico’s SENASICA highlights as a devastating citrus disease that can reduce yield and quality and even kill trees. If HLB pressure rises in supplier orchards, raw material availability for juice/concentrate production can tighten and logistics can be affected by pest-control measures.
If this concentrate is repacked for consumer sale in Mexico, what labeling rule matters most?NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010 is the general Mexican labeling standard for prepackaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages sold to consumers; it does not apply to bulk product, so applicability depends on how the concentrate is presented to the market.