MENTHA OIL SCENARIO IN INDIA

Domestic Scenario of mentha oil

Mentha oil production is increasing substantially since last couple of years with more contribution from India. The large scale commercial cultivation of Mentha is done in UP (Bilaspur , Rampur , Chandausi, Sambhal, Barabanki , Bareilly , Sitapur etc.) , Punjab (Jalandhar), Haryana (Ambala) , Himachal and Bihar (Muzuffarpur). India produces about 27,600 tons of mentha crude oil per annum (avg. for last five years). The output is increasing in recent years and a record production close to 32,000 tons is estimated for the current year. India produces about 27,600 tons of mentha crude oil per annum (avg. for last five years). The output is increasing in recent years and a record production close to 32,000 tons is estimated for the year 2009-10. 90% crop of India, grown in Uttar Pradesh, rest 10% in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. In recent years Mentha Herb was developed in Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat but in little quantity. BARABANKI (include the area as Sitapur, Faizabad, Gonda & Baraich ) having 60 percent of india total menthe cultivate area. SAMBAL,CHANDOSI, MORADABAD, BAREILLY, RAMPUR AND BILASPUR comobined represent 30 percent crop area and 10 percent area belongs to PUNJAB, HARYANA, RAJASTHAN.

Mentha oil is derived from a plant named Mentha arvensis or common mint. Mentha arvensis is a European mint herb that is adopted by the United States. It is a long lasting, quick growing, hairy leaved herb that can even attain a height of 1.5 meters if favorable conditions are provided. ‘Mentha’, actually, is a Latin name for ‘mint’. With the help of steam distillation process, mentha oil is obtained from the fresh leaves of that plant followed by the separation of menthol from it. 

In India first distillation plant was installed at Bilaspur by a US based MNC in the year of 1973. Thereafter various local distilleries also came up at Sambhal, Chandausi and Moradabad. The survey conducted by Richardson Hindustan Ltd. determined that Tarai Area of Uttar‐Pradesh would be a suitable place for the cultivation of Mentha Arvensis. The crop of menthe was successfully grown and when the mentha oil was extracted by Steam distillation, mentha crop became a viable. Hindustan Richardson Ltd. established a distillation unit in BILASPUR of district Nanital, so confidently the Farmer could grow Mentha Herb. They had supplied the planting materials as well as given technical knowledge to grow the Mentha herb. As the result the area of mentha crops substantially increased in entire tarai and western districts of U. P. mainly Nanital, Rampur, Moradabad, Badaun, Bareilly and recently extended to eastern districts viz. Barabanki, Lucknow & sitapur districts.

India is the leading producer of mentha oil in the world with around 14000 metric tons production in 2003. China and Brazil follow India in the list of major producers on 2nd and 3rd place. Also, India leads the mentha oil exporting countries with around 3000 tons exports annually. Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, UK, USA are some of the importing countries of mentha oil. The consumption figures of menthol show that annual world consumption of menthol is 9600 metric tons. India is the largest consumer of menthol with a figure of about 3100 metric tons in 2003. The important menthol consuming countries are: -

• India (3100 metric tons)
• China (2000 metric tons)
• European Union (1900 metric tons)

·         USA with (1800 metric tons)

In India, the major producing areas of mint are: -

• Punjab
• Haryana
• Himachal Pradesh
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar

The foothills of the Himalayas in India have a semi-temperate climate that supports mentha production. Major share of mentha is cultivated in these areas only. The land under cultivation of mint in India has increased constantly is currently around 70000 hectares. As compared to other kinds of mint crop oils in India like mentha peperata oil, mentha sparmint oil and mentha citrata oil, mentha arvensis oil has got a major share in production.

The consumption pattern of mentha in India has made it an important crop. Mentha in India has reached out to all most all the households and has made a major impact because of the qualities present in it. In fact, India is the leading consumer of mentha and mentha oil. Sauces are made from mentha leaves. Increasing rate of production of mentha oil has made India the largest producer and exporter in the world. The mint oil production in India hovers around 15000 tons and exports around 3000 tons annually.

Consumption of natural menthol has increased significantly in India (with the share of about 32%) in recent years. Strong industrial growth over two decades and increasing off-take from tobacco industry has pushed up the consumption of menthol in India. However, in other major consuming counties like China (with the share of about 21%) and Europe (with the share of about 20%), consumption is almost stagnant.

Menthol production is also done on a commercial scale. The menthol producing areas in India are Bombay, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh