Key facts
- India exported US$418 million of mint products in FY2024-25 (indianspices.com).
- Largest destinations by value: China; USA; Singapore (Apr-Jan 2022-23 ranking, tier 7 - not FY25)
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Uttar Pradesh (~75-95% of crop, source range).
- Market guides for 20 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Spices Board CRES, ISO 9001, Halal certificate, Kosher certificate and more.
- Typical minimum order: 500 kg - 1 MT (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's main producer of natural menthol. Mint products exported 27,283 t worth US$417.8 mn in 2024-25 (Spices Board). Mentha arvensis is grown on a large scale in central Uttar Pradesh (Barabanki, Sitapur, Rampur, Sambhal-Chandausi, Bareilly, Badaun). Farmers distil the oil, and processors in the Chandausi-Rampur-Barabanki belt crystallise it into menthol.
Menthol crystals go into pharmaceuticals (balms, cough products), oral care, confectionery, tobacco and cosmetics. Dementholised mint oil (DMO) and peppermint oil serve flavour and fragrance houses.
Prices follow the crop and compete with synthetic menthol, so buyers often contract forward around the June harvest.
HS note: Mint oils are classified under 3301.24 (peppermint, Mentha piperita) and 3301.25 (other mints, including Mentha arvensis and DMO).
Specifications
| Menthol assay | ≥ 99.0% L-menthol (typical, IP/BP/USP) |
|---|---|
| Melting range | 41-44 °C (typical) |
| Specific optical rotation | -45° to -51° (typical, pharmacopoeial) |
| Mentha arvensis crude oil | Total menthol ~70-80% (typical) |
| DMO | Menthol ~30-40% after crystallisation (typical) |
| Crystal size | Bold, medium, fine/flakes (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Menthol crystals IP/BP/USP
Pharma and food grade crystals.
Menthol flakes / powder
For blending and confectionery.
Mentha arvensis oil (crude)
Feedstock for crystallisation and flavours.
Dementholised mint oil (DMO)
Flavour oil for oral care and confectionery.
Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita)
Higher-value flavour oil, smaller volumes.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crystals | 25 kg fibre/HDPE drums with liners | — |
| Oils | 180 kg HDPE or lacquered GI drums; 25-50 kg cans | — |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Oils: 80 x 180 kg drums ≈ 14.4 MT; crystals ~10-14 MT · 40' HC Usually 20' used; weight and stacking-limited. Crystals can cake in heat - avoid long stuffing delays in summer; oils' DG status depends on flash point per SDS
Customisation: Crystal size grading, custom drum sizes, blends of DMO
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Uttar Pradesh
Barabanki, Sitapur, Rampur, Sambhal, Bareilly, Badaun, Moradabad
Mentha belt; Chandausi is a key trading and processing hub
Market requirements by region
European Union
Menthol and mint oils are REACH-relevant substances (registration via the importer or an Only Representative) and need CLP-compliant SDS/labels.
United States & Canada
US flavour, oral-care and pharma buyers want USP-grade crystals with kosher certification. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
Southeast Asia
Singapore has been a re-export hub for Indian mint products; Indonesia and Malaysia buy for balms and confectionery.
East Asia
China has been a leading buyer of Indian mint products (older Spices Board ranking - stale, not FY25).
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • GC analysis per lot
- • Pharmacopoeial tests (melting point, optical rotation)
- • Third-party inspection on request
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Spices Board CRES
- • ISO 9001
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • EU REACH compliance
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading / airway bill
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis (GC)
- • Safety data sheet
- • Certificate of origin
- • Kosher/halal certificates where requested
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Mint products (menthol, menthol crystals, mint oils) | 417.8 | verified | indianspices.com |
Top destinations: China; USA; Singapore (Apr-Jan 2022-23 ranking, tier 7 - not FY25)
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
Is Indian menthol natural?
Yes. Indian menthol crystals are crystallised from Mentha arvensis oil, unlike synthetic menthol made from petrochemical or other feedstocks.
When is the new crop?
Mentha is planted in early spring and distilled from about May to July, so new-crop oil arrives around June (ASSUMPTION - varies by season).
Why do menthol crystals cake?
Menthol melts at 41-44 °C and sublimes, so heat during transit or storage can fuse crystals. Store below 25 °C.
What is DMO?
Dementholised mint oil: the oil left after menthol is crystallised out of Mentha arvensis oil. It is used in flavours.
Are mint oils dangerous goods?
It depends on the product's flash point and classification in its SDS. Many mint oils ship as non-DG by sea, but confirm per lot.
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