Hemp is one of the oldest plants domesticated by humans: evidence of its use dates back to 4000 BC. Highly prized for its many uses related to cannabis and CBD (industrial, textile, paper, cosmetics, food, etc.), it is cultivated on every continent in the world. At the beginning of the century, hemp cultivation in France was very significant (the name “La Cannebière” means “the avenue of the hemp growers” in Latin), and France remains the leading producer of hemp in Europe.
The European Hemp Institute
The EIHA (European Hemp Institute) is the largest association of stakeholders in the sector. It recently published its annual report on hemp cultivation in Europe in 2018, based on a survey of 65 member companies and associations, supplemented by data from European governments that regulate these activities.
The purpose of this study was to understand and evaluate industrial hemp cultivation in Europe, as well as the use of its various parts (stems, hemp flowers, and seeds) in the 28 European countries.
The Ten Largest Industrial Hemp Growers in Europe in 2018
1. France: 17,900 hectares
2. Italy: 4,000 hectares
3. Netherlands: 3,833 hectares
4. Estonia: 3,538 hectares
5. Romania: 3,400 hectares
6. Germany: 3,114 hectares
7. Poland: 1,708 hectares
8. Austria: 1,583 hectares
9. Ukraine: 1,500 hectares
10. Lithuania: 1,470 hectares
A Map of Hemp Cultivation in Europe
Here is a map showing the area under hemp cultivation in the main hemp-producing countries in Europe
Three countries account for 50% of Europe's hemp production
From this data, we can highlight two key points:
· France is Europe's leading hemp producer, far ahead of thesecond- andthird-ranked countries (18,000 hectares of hemp compared to 4,000 and 3,900)
· Three of the 28 European countries account for half of the hemp grown in Europe (France, Italy, and the Netherlands)
“We hope that the EU will follow market trends and be bold enough to initiate the regulatory changes needed to attract the investment required to increase the production and marketing of hemp-based products,” said the association’s president, Daniel Kruse, in a statement.
