US tariff impact: Mentha oil industry in UP's Rampur faces major crisis

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-08-31 06:22:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-26 17:43:44

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The mentha oil industry in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district is facing a major crisis after the United States imposed tariffs on Indian goods, including mentha oil.

The industry, which is primarily based in Rampur and Lakhimpur Kheri districts, exports more than 50% of its mentha oil to the US. The high tariffs have resulted in a sharp drop in exports, leaving many mentha oil producers struggling to sell their products.

"The tariffs have hit us very hard. We are facing a lot of problems in selling our mentha oil overseas. The prices have dropped significantly and we are not able to get good prices for our products," said Syed Khursheed, a mentha oil producer in Rampur.

Prior to the tariffs, mentha oil was selling at $1,200 to $1,300 per tonne in the international market. Now, it is selling at $700 to $800 per tonne.

The mentha oil industry employs thousands of people in Rampur and Lakhimpur Kheri, which are among the top mentha producing districts in the country. The sudden drop in demand and prices has left workers struggling to make a living.

"I was working in a mentha oil factory and my daily income was around Rs 300. Now, due to the crisis, the factory has shut down and I am unable to find work," said Mohammad Muslim, a migrant worker from Bihar.

The industry is now seeking help from the government to overcome the crisis.

"We have requested the government to provide us with some help, possibly in the form of financial aid or incentives, so that we can survive this crisis," said Sanjay Saroj, president of the Mentha and Essential Oil Association of India.

The US tariff impact on the mentha oil industry in Uttar Pradesh is yet another example of how global trade wars can hurt local economies and workers.

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