Europe: Hemp Tow Market 2025

Hemp Tow Market Size in Europe

The Europe hemp tow market reached $X in 2022, surging by 3.2% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 +111.9% against 2015 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Hemp Tow Production in Europe

In value terms, hemp tow production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted prominent growth. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The country with the largest volume of hemp tow production was France (X tons), comprising approx. 65% of total volume. Moreover, hemp tow production in France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Netherlands (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Poland (X tons), with a 7.9% share.

In France, hemp tow production increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the Netherlands (+8.1% per year) and Poland (+18.8% per year).

The average hemp tow yield declined to X tons per ha in 2022, with a decrease of -5.6% against the year before. In general, the yield recorded a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 30%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat 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, approx. X ha of hemp tow were harvested in Europe; approximately equating the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the harvested area enjoyed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 15%. 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 Europe

Hemp tow exports surged to X tons in 2022, picking up by 16% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 588% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, hemp tow exports declined sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 311%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 80% 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 Europe, with a CAGR of +100.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of the Netherlands (+18 p.p.), Romania (+3.9 p.p.) and Lithuania (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belgium (-4.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest hemp tow supplier in Europe, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 3.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Netherlands stood at +19.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+30.3% per year) and Belgium (+23.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, declining by -37.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 71%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

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 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 Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of hemp tow decreased by -20.2% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 -25.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 37%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hemp tow imports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 181%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Denmark (X tons) and the UK (X tons) represented roughly 71% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together constituting a 16% share of total imports. The following importers - Switzerland (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) - each recorded a 3.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +50.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and the UK ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 47% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +42.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -10.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a notable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 104%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+11.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform