Core Insights - Recent reports indicate a shortage of lemon water at Mixue Ice City, a popular beverage chain, leading to customer complaints about product availability [1][3] - The shortage is attributed to supply chain disruptions caused by weather affecting imported lemons and the harvesting period of domestic lemons, although overall lemon reserves remain sufficient [3][6] - The price of lemons has significantly increased, with the average wholesale price reaching 15 yuan per kilogram, nearly doubling from 7.83 yuan per kilogram a year ago [3][4] Company Impact - Lemon water is a key product for Mixue Ice City, generating over 40 billion yuan in annual sales from more than 1 billion cups sold [3] - The cost of lemons constitutes over 30% of the company's cost structure, leading to potential losses of 1 to 2 yuan per cup if current market prices are maintained without passing costs to consumers [6] - Franchisees are experiencing a sharp decline in daily revenue, with reports of a 30% drop in sales following the suspension of lemon water sales [6] Industry Context - The tea beverage market is expanding rapidly, with a 20% annual growth rate, while lemon planting areas are only expected to grow by 8% by 2025, creating a supply-demand imbalance [6] - Lemons have become a popular ingredient in the beverage industry, with a significant increase in product launches featuring lemons, indicating a growing market demand [6]