UP emerges top producer of mentha in global market

Uttar Pradesh has emerged the top producer of mentha oil and peppermint products in the world in the last two years, a major portion of it coming from Kannauj district of the state. Till now, China had remained on the forefront of mentha production in the global market.

Around 92 per cent of mentha production in the country now owes its recognition to UP, which also comprises 86 per cent of mentha production in the global marketplace. Kannauj-based Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) director Shakti Vinay Shukla said the mentha production in the state was begun in the late 70s, while Japan was the pioneer in its production till 1954, when it was first commercially produced.

“Earlier Japan and China remained the chief producer of mentha in the world, while the FFDC had begun to invest money and manpower into researching better varieties of the plant. Gradually, the production of mentha has now emerged as the preferred among the local farmers as it has short harvesting period and can be cultivated in between two normal harvests,” he added.

Today India produces 19,000 tonnes of mentha oil of the total 22,000 tonnes available in the global market, most of which is credited to UP. According to Essential Oils Association (EOA) president Shailendra Jain, the lack of proper awareness among the farmers has still curtailed the vast production potential of the state, as mentha farming offers good market prices without requiring much fertiliser and gestation period, compared to other traditional crops.

Mentha is the only essential oil which has been allowed trading in the major commodity exchanges of the country by the Forward Market Commission (FMC). The farming of mentha is gaining fast and immense popularity among the local peasants due to its benefits.

Spot prices of mentha oil have moved up to Rs 650 per kg from Rs 530 per kg in just last two months, while futures rallied by Rs 135 per kg in 40 days. Mentha oil was quoted at Rs 650 at the spot markets on Thursday, while the December contract in NCDEX was quoted at Rs 622 per kg at closing. Officials said that mentha was cultivated in more than 77,000 hectares in India with more than 90 per cent of the production coming from Uttar Pradesh.