Visiting farmers, our team found that mentha oil sustains a whole rural economy. Farmers trade goods directly for mentha oil, keep bottles at home as emergency savings, and can sell as little as 100 ml for immediate cash. Its strong aroma also keeps pests and stray animals away, making it a low-risk crop.
As synthetic substitutes take share of the menthol market, prices fell and farmers scaled back, shrinking domestic yields year after year. This season prices have begun to recover. Protecting natural mint protects rural livelihoods.
Originally shared on N S Mint's LinkedIn.
