EU: Hemp Tow Market 2025

Hemp Tow Market Size in the EU

The EU hemp tow market amounted to $X in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. The total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +108.9% against 2015 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Hemp Tow Production in the EU

In value terms, hemp tow production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 122% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

France (X tons) remains the largest hemp tow producing country in the European Union, comprising approx. 67% of total volume. Moreover, hemp tow production in France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Netherlands (X tons), sixfold. Poland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in France stood at +2.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+8.1% per year) and Poland (+18.8% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of hemp tow in the European Union contracted to X tons per ha, dropping by -7.3% on the previous year's figure. In general, the yield continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 31% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the 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 the European Union amounted to X ha, increasing by 1.6% compared with 2021. Overall, the harvested area enjoyed buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 18%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Hemp Tow Exports

Exports in the EU

Hemp tow exports soared to X tons in 2022, growing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, exports recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 693%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hemp tow exports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 344%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 83% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Spain (X tons), Romania (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) - together made up 12% of total exports.

Exports from the Netherlands increased at an average annual rate of +29.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Romania (+100.5%), Lithuania (+70.5%), Spain (+29.2%) and Belgium (+12.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +100.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of the Netherlands (+10 p.p.), Romania (+4 p.p.) and Lithuania (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belgium (-5.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest hemp tow supplier in the European Union, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 3.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 2.2% share.

In the Netherlands, hemp tow exports expanded at an average annual rate of +19.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+30.3% per year) and Belgium (+23.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -29.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 63%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Romania ($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 more modest paces of growth.

Hemp Tow Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, purchases abroad of hemp tow decreased by -31.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, saw a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 34%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hemp tow imports fell sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a temperate expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 171%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of hemp tow, namely Germany, the Czech Republic and Denmark, represented more than two-thirds of total import. France (X tons) held a 9.7% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Belgium (9.4%). The following importers - Sweden (X tons) and Finland (X tons) - each reached a 4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Finland (with a CAGR of +64.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest hemp tow importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 53% share of total imports.

France, with a CAGR of +32.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, falling by -10% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw temperate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 102%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+0.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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