MORRO BAY, CA - With the finger lime season having just kicked off on June 1st, Shanley Farms is busy preparing for the rest of its 2015 season to grow in both volume and demand. I spoke with Administrative Assistant Lauren Taylor about how Shanley sees the future of the thriving commodity. 

“The demand for finger limes in our off-season was high, so we anticipate moving an even greater volume than last year. As people learn about finger limes and their versatility the market demand grows,” Taylor tells me. “The market is definitely growing and reflective to how people understanding what a finger lime is exactly. Once people try a finger lime and get that burst of citrus flavor they are sold!”

As the company’s finger lime trees mature, they start producing much higher quality of fruit, Lauren says. Even at the beginning of its season, Shanley is already expecting high quality as they move into peak season during September-November. This great quality has occurred despite the harsh weather the company has been experiencing in California. 

“Like many growers throughout California, the drought has made production more difficult,” adds Lauren. “Shanley Farms has efficiently allocated resources to maintain sustainability for all of our crops. The finger lime trees normally do not do well in freezing temperatures, but we did not experience any frost at all during the colder months.”

With more returning customers and more demand, the company expects to delve into new markets soon. This current season will last through January, Lauren says, adding that Shanley has also developed a machine to mechanically extract the citrus pulp. Shanley hopes to debut that pulp in the form of Citrus Caviar later this summer.

Shanley Farms