General Production Information

● Oregon is the national leader in peppermint production and ranks fourth in spearmint production. ● The state grows about 35 % of the nation’s peppermint and accounts for almost 8 % of the spearmint market. ● Peppermint growers farm over 40,000 acres that produce more than 3,000,000 pounds of oil valued at greater than $50,000,000. Spearmint growers work about 2,000 acres and produce over 150,000 pounds of oil valued at more than $2,000,000. ● Mint production costs in Oregon are variable. Willamette Valley production costs have risen, making mint farming only marginally profitable with the cost per acre at $1,060.19. Eastern Oregon costs are $888.68 per acre. South central Oregon growers have costs of $914.04 per acre. ● Most Oregon mint—both peppermint and spearmint—is distilled for oil. A small market exists for dried mint for tea. Growers sell the spent mint (the part left after distillation) for use as soil amendments. Production Regions The Pacific Northwest accounts for the majority of the mint grown in the United States. (In this crop profile, mint refers to both peppermint and spearmint unless specifically noted.) Areas best suited to mint production are north of the 41st parallel where crops have 15 hours of daylight during the summer growing season (8)