Peppermint industry of Moradabad facing tough competition from China

By Vibhav Porov

Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), March 3 : Peppermint industry of Moradabad is facing a tough competition from the Chinese market.

It produces 85-86 per cent menthol of the world. But due to the negligence on the part of the Government, the peppermint industry of Moradabad is going through a bad phase.

"We sell menthol flacks to Chinese market. We also manufacture bold crystal menthol," said Rakesh, a researcher.

China imports a large amount of menthol oil from India. But the Government has imposed a very small duty on menthol exports to China.

The Chinese Government provides subsidies to its peppermint crystal manufacturers while the Indian Government does not provide any subsidy to its crystal manufacturers, putting them in a disadvantaged position as compared to Chinese manufacturers.

"China does not have its own raw material. It purchases raw materials from India. The export of raw materials from India should be stopped and Import duty should be imposed on China," said Phool Prakash, President of the Menthol Association.

Archaeological evidences also place peppermint's use at least ten thousand years back, which makes it 'the world's oldest medicine'.

Peppermint has a high menthol content and is used as a flavour in tea, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste.

Menthol oil also contains menthone and menthyl esters. It is the oldest and most popular flavour of mint-flavoured confectionery.

Nowadays, it is also used in some shampoos and soaps, which gives a cooling sensation on the skin.

ANI