USDA Caps Spearmint Oil Sales to Stabilize Far West Farmers
Published Date: 5/7/2026
Rule
Summary
The USDA is setting new limits on how much spearmint oil can be sold from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, and Utah for the 2025-2026 season. This affects spearmint oil farmers and buyers by controlling supply to keep the market steady. The new rules kick in on June 8, 2026, helping producers plan and protect their earnings.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
2025–26 Spearmint Volume Caps Set
The USDA sets how much spearmint oil can be sold in the Far West for the 2025-2026 marketing year. For Class 1 (Scotch) the salable quantity is 808,656 pounds with an allotment percentage of 35 percent; for Class 3 (Native) the salable quantity is 1,028,670 pounds with an allotment percentage of 39 percent. The rule is effective June 8, 2026, and applies to the marketing year that began June 1, 2025.
Annual Allotments Limit Sales
Under volume regulation, each producer's annual allotment is calculated from their allotment base times the allotment percentage, and handlers may only purchase or handle the established salable quantities during the 2025-2026 marketing year. Producers who make more than their allotment can transfer excess to other producers; any untransferred excess must be placed in the reserve pool on December 1 of the marketing year.
Rule Aims to Prevent $2.78/ lb Price Drop
AMS estimates that without volume regulation the season-average producer price would decline by about $2.78 per pound. The Committee and AMS say the volume controls are intended to avoid that decline and reduce price variability for producers in the 2025-2026 marketing year.
Committee Can Increase Supply Mid-Year
The Committee has authority to recommend intra-seasonal increases to the salable quantity and allotment percentage if market demand rises during the 2025-2026 marketing year. This allows handlers and producers to gain additional salable volume if needed to meet unexpected demand.
No New Reporting Burden Added
The final rule does not add new reporting or recordkeeping requirements beyond existing marketing order information collections (OMB No. 0581-0178). Producers and handlers should not expect additional paperwork because of this rule. Any future changes to information collection would be submitted to OMB for approval.
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