US farmers can grow more spearmint for chewing gum and toothpaste
What happened
The US Department of Agriculture has increased the amount of Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil that can be sold for the 2024-2025 marketing year. This means farmers in the Far West region can produce and sell more spearmint oil than before.
Why it matters
The US government sets limits on how much spearmint oil farmers can sell each year. These limits control supply and keep prices stable. Raising the limit means more spearmint oil will be available for products like chewing gum and toothpaste, potentially affecting prices for both producers and consumers.
The signal
Watch for changes in wholesale spearmint oil prices over the next year, and whether the Committee recommends further increases in future marketing years.