Desert Limes

Common Names & Species:
Desert Lime (Citrus glauca)

Family:
Rutaceae.

Native To:
Queensland and New South Wales, west of a line running from Rockhampton to Dubbo, with some isolated occurrences in central South Australia.

Habit:
Tree to 2 – 4 m, bearing small green to yellow coloured fruit.
>> PIRSA fact sheet

Part Used:
Fruit.

Flavour:
Strong and distinctive citrus flavour.

Food Use:
For distinctive but recognisably citrus flavour in sweet and savoury products.

Current Retail Product Categories:
Jams & conserves, dipping sauces, simmer sauces.

Food Quality & Safety Issues:
Currently there is no industry-wide product description or quality standards developed or published for this crop, though individual market channel groups are likely to be working to in-house standards.

Crop collection, production and handling systems will eventually require the implementation of HACCP-based food safety systems.

Wild Harvest/Cultivated Supplies:
Most fruit is still sourced from the wild, although commercial cultivation is now in progress.

Wild Harvest Locations:
Southwest Qld, northwest NSW.

Cultivation Locations:
Riverland, South Australia, Roma Qld (Desert Lime).

Approx Wholesale (‘Farm Gate’) Prices:
Desert Lime: whole frozen $13/kg.

Current Volumes Traded:
Desert Limes: In the order of 10-15 tonnes per annum.

Other Links

• http://www.saalfelds.freeserve.co.uk/AusNatCitrus.htm
• RIRDC Desert lime information sheet (pdf file)