Federal Register #2026-09058

USDA Sets 2025-2026 Far West Spearmint Oil Salable Quantities and Allotments

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has finalized a rule regulating the volume of Far West spearmint oil for the 2025-2026 marketing year: - Government Buyer: - Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), USDA - Specialty Crops Program, Northwest Region Branch, Market Development Division - Products/Commodities Regulated: - Class 1 (Scotch) Spearmint Oil - Salable quantity: 808,656 pounds - Allotment percentage: 35% - Class 3 (Native) Spearmint Oil - Salable quantity: 1,028,670 pounds - Allotment percentage: 39% - Geographic Scope: - Applies to producers and handlers in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of Nevada and Utah (Far West region) - Notable Requirements: - Salable quantities and allotment percentages are set annually to stabilize supply and prices - Provisions allow for intra-seasonal adjustments if market demand changes - Regulation affects approximately 39 Scotch and 89 Native spearmint oil producers and 6 handlers, mostly small entities - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action governing agricultural production quotas

Description

This final rule implements a recommendation from the Far West Spearmint Oil Administrative Committee to establish salable quantities and allotment percentages for Class 1 (Scotch) and Class 3 (Native) spearmint oil produced in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and parts of Nevada and Utah for the 2025-2026 marketing year. The rule aims to maintain market stability by matching supply to estimated demand, thereby avoiding extreme fluctuations in supplies and prices. It establishes the quantity of spearmint oil that handlers may purchase or handle on behalf of producers during the marketing year. The rule is necessary for the continued operation of Marketing Order No. 985 and is expected to benefit producers and handlers by providing a more stable market and increased returns.

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