Southern Asia: Hemp Tow Market 2025

Hemp Tow Market Size in Southern Asia

In 2022, the South Asian hemp tow market decreased by -8.8% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded strong growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Hemp Tow Production in Southern Asia

In value terms, hemp tow production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 54%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

India (X tons) remains the largest hemp tow producing country in Southern Asia, comprising approx. 72% of total volume. Moreover, hemp tow production in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Sri Lanka (X tons), fourfold. Nepal (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.3% share.

In India, hemp tow production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sri Lanka (+0.7% per year) and Nepal (+0.5% per year).

Hemp Tow Exports

Exports in Southern Asia

In 2022, shipments abroad of hemp tow increased by 19% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after five years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 105% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hemp tow exports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 93% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh represented the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 55% of total exports. It was distantly followed by India (X tons) and Nepal (X tons), together making up a 45% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bangladesh (with a CAGR of -0.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Nepal ($X) remains the largest hemp tow supplier in Southern Asia, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bangladesh ($X), with a 22% share of total exports.

In Nepal, hemp tow exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bangladesh (-0.2% per year) and India (-6.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Southern Asia amounted to $X per ton, declining by -15.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 72% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank sharply 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 Nepal ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nepal (+18.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Hemp Tow Imports

Imports in Southern Asia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of hemp tow decreased by -6.3% to X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a seven-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 249% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, hemp tow imports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 132% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Pakistan represented the key importer of hemp tow in Southern Asia, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 51% of total imports in 2022. Bangladesh (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by India (X tons). All these countries together took near 49% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Pakistan (with a CAGR of +133.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Pakistan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported hemp tow in Southern Asia, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 13% share of total imports.

In Pakistan, hemp tow imports increased at an average annual rate of +147.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+74.1% per year) and Bangladesh (+23.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Southern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -27.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 49%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+6.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :