Eastern Europe: Hemp Tow Market 2025

Hemp Tow Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European hemp tow market increased by 25% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption recorded buoyant growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Hemp Tow Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, hemp tow production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 234% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Poland (X tons) remains the largest hemp tow producing country in Eastern Europe, comprising approx. 63% of total volume. Moreover, hemp tow production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Romania (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Lithuania (X tons), with a 9.6% share.

In Poland, hemp tow production increased at an average annual rate of +18.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Romania (+8.6% per year) and Lithuania (+22.0% per year).

The average hemp tow yield declined to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -5.7% against 2021. Over the period under review, the yield, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 139%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the hemp tow yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of hemp tow production in Eastern Europe expanded significantly to X ha, picking up by 12% on the previous year's figure. The total harvested area indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, hemp tow harvested area decreased by -9.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to hemp tow production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hemp Tow Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of hemp tow decreased by -42.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 467%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, hemp tow exports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 363%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which reached 41% of total exports. Lithuania (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Ukraine (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Poland (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 56% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ukraine (with a CAGR of +155.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Romania ($X), Lithuania ($X) and Ukraine ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 46% share of total exports.

Lithuania, with a CAGR of +117.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 27% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted tangible growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 197% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+27.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Hemp Tow Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

Hemp tow imports expanded to X tons in 2022, with an increase of 2.2% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hemp tow imports dropped to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -22.5% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 58% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Czech Republic dominates imports structure, reaching X tons, which was near 84% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Lithuania (X tons), creating a 5.1% share of total imports. Poland (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hemp tow imports into the Czech Republic stood at +2.5%. At the same time, Belarus (+91.2%), Lithuania (+49.4%), Poland (+46.2%) and Romania (+19.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belarus emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +91.2% from 2012-2022. Lithuania (+5 p.p.), Poland (+4.2 p.p.), Romania (+2.2 p.p.) and Belarus (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the Czech Republic saw its share reduced by -15.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the Czech Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported hemp tow in Eastern Europe, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lithuania ($X), with a 6% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Czech Republic totaled +2.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lithuania (+48.7% per year) and Poland (+28.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -7.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the import price increased by 55%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Lithuania ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Belarus ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (-0.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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