Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh limes in Canada are supplied primarily through imports and distributed through commercial produce channels into grocery and foodservice. For the broader HS citrus category “lemons and limes, fresh or dried,” UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Canada sourced significant import value in 2023 from Mexico, the United States, and South Africa, indicating reliance on foreign supply. Commercial importers of fresh fruits or vegetables must hold a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence and declare it correctly in the import process, or transactions can be rejected and shipments delayed or refused. Under CFIA phytosanitary policy for fresh citrus and tropical fruits, limes generally do not require a phytosanitary certificate or permit, but shipments must arrive free of soil, leaves/plant debris, and pests; non-compliant or infested consignments may be refused entry.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RolePrimarily an imported fresh citrus input for retail and foodservice consumption
Market GrowthGrowing (2021–2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS; combined lemons-and-limes category))Import value for the combined lemons-and-limes category increased between 2021 and 2023 in UN Comtrade (WITS).
Specification
Physical Attributes- Common quality indicators include rind color, size, shape, firmness, smoothness, and freedom from decay and defects (e.g., bruises, oil spotting, dryness, freezing injury, stylar-end breakdown).
Compositional Metrics- Maturity is often assessed using juice content (e.g., juice content by volume of 30% or higher) alongside color stage.
Packaging- Common North American trade packs for limes include 10-lb cartons and 40-lb cartons, often specified by count size.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin orchard/harvest → packing & sorting → refrigerated dispatch → Canadian border clearance (CFIA/CBSA as applicable) → wholesale distribution → retail and foodservice
Temperature- Postharvest handling typically targets ~10–13°C with high relative humidity (about 90–95%) to preserve quality during storage and transport.
Atmosphere Control- Ethylene exposure can accelerate loss of green color; storage practices often aim to minimize ethylene exposure.
- Controlled-atmosphere ranges (e.g., 5–10% O2 and 0–10% CO2) are cited as potentially slowing senescence, but not a substitute for decay control.
Shelf Life- Under optimum postharvest temperature conditions, storage plus transport duration is cited as up to ~6–8 weeks, depending on cultivar and maturity stage.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Phytosanitary HighIf imported limes are found infested with pests of quarantine concern or otherwise non-compliant (including presence of soil, leaves, or plant debris), CFIA may refuse entry and require removal or destruction; the importer is responsible for related costs.Apply strict pre-shipment sanitation and inspection controls, ensure fruit is free of soil/plant debris, and confirm any origin-specific measures in CFIA AIRS prior to shipping.
Regulatory Compliance MediumCommercial imports of fresh fruits or vegetables require a valid Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence; CBSA indicates shipments can face transaction rejection, delays, or refusal of entry if the licence is missing or incorrectly declared.Verify SFC licence coverage for the activity and commodity and validate correct licence declaration in import submissions before arrival.
Food Safety MediumPesticide residues on imported fresh fruits or vegetables must not exceed established Canadian maximum residue limits (MRLs); non-compliance can trigger enforcement action.Align grower spray programs to Canadian MRLs and verify against Health Canada’s MRL database for the pesticide–commodity combinations relevant to limes.
Food Safety MediumImported fresh fruit or vegetables intended to be consumed raw that are treated with sulphites are not permitted for sale in Canada (grapes are the stated exception).Confirm postharvest treatment protocols with suppliers and avoid sulphite treatments for raw-consumption limes destined for Canada.
Logistics MediumFresh limes are sensitive to handling and temperature management; suboptimal storage/transport conditions can cause quality loss (including chilling injury and accelerated color change), increasing shrink and dispute risk.Maintain postharvest temperature discipline (commonly cited around 10–13°C) and manage ethylene exposure throughout transit and warehousing.
FAQ
Do I need a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence to import fresh limes into Canada commercially?Yes. CBSA states that, as of March 15, 2021, a Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence is mandatory for commercial imports of fresh fruits or vegetables, and transactions can be rejected (with delays or refusal of entry) if the required licence is not declared correctly.
Do fresh limes require a phytosanitary certificate to be imported into Canada?Often no. CFIA directive D-01-07 indicates that for most citrus and tropical fruits from most origins, a phytosanitary certificate or a permit to import is not required. However, shipments must meet CFIA conditions (for example, be free of soil and pests), and importers should check CFIA AIRS for any origin-specific measures.
What happens if a shipment of limes arrives with quarantine pests or is otherwise non-compliant?CFIA directive D-01-07 states that consignments found infested with pests of quarantine concern or otherwise non-compliant may be refused entry to Canada and must be removed from the country or destroyed. The importer is responsible for the associated costs.
What country-of-origin labelling is required for imported prepackaged fresh limes sold in Canada?CFIA guidance states that the country of origin (the country where the produce was grown) must appear on the principal display panel of imported prepackaged fresh fruits or vegetables and be placed near the net quantity declaration or grade name.