Industrial hemp in germany and its development
The role of industrial hemp in German agriculture has developed with notable dynamism in recent years. This, the expansion of cultivation, the effects on the environment and the diversification of utilisation options will be explored in this article.
The role of industrial hemp in German agriculture has developed with notable dynamism in recent years. This shall be illustrated in the following text, based on the report ‘ELEMENTE’ of the German Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW) and its statistics, which illustrate the expansion of cultivation, the effects on the environment and the diversification of utilisation possibilities.
Luisa Pfau
Cultivation and farm sizes
The report documents that the total area cultivated with hemp has expanded significantly, reaching 6,943 hectares in 2022. This growth has not been linear; after a peak in the early 2000s, there was a sharp decline, followed by recent growth that reflects a renewed interest in sustainable agriculture. This resurgence is particularly noted from 2015 onwards, where cultivation areas have steadily increased. In 2022 there were 889 agricultural enterprises actively engaging in industrial hemp farming.
The cultivation of industrial hemp in Germany is regulated by strict guidelines that allow 73 authorised varieties of industrial hemp for 2021, which can be found in the BvCW document or on the website of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), but only 17 of which were actually cultivated in 2021. The report lists numerous varieties, with 'Finola' being particularly popular due to its suitability for oil production and its higher yield rates. Other commonly grown varieties include 'Futura 75', 'Fedora 17', and 'Fibranova', which are favoured for their fibre quality and adaptability to German climatic conditions.
Farm sizes have also evolved. In 1997, the average industrial hemp farm size was relatively small but has grown over the years. By 2022, the average cultivation area per farmer was reported at approximately 7.8 hectares. This increase in farm size indicates not only a consolidation within the industry but also an enhancement in the scale of operations, suggesting that industrial hemp farming is becoming more commercially viable and a staple in agricultural portfolios.
The regional distribution of industrial hemp cultivation in Germany highlights a significant variance, with states such as Bavaria and Lower Saxony leading. This geographical spread is interesting, as it underlines the adaptability of hemp to different soil types and environmental conditions, making it a valuable crop across varied locales.
Luisa Pfau
Environmental and economic contributions
One of the prominent aspects of industrial hemp cultivation is its environmental impact, particularly in terms of carbon sequestration. The report contains comparative data showing that hemp can absorb significantly more CO2 per hectare than conventional crops. In concrete terms, hemp absorbs up to 13.4 tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually, which is significantly higher compared to other crops. This capacity makes it an excellent choice for carbon farming initiatives aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.
In terms of productivity, industrial hemp significantly outperforms conventional crops such as cotton, with a fibre yield of 3 tonnes per hectare compared to 1.3 tonnes per hectare for cotton.
Furthermore, hemp contributes positively to soil health by improving soil structure, fertility and erosion control. These properties make hemp a valuable component of sustainable agricultural strategies that aim to reduce the use of chemicals and improve the environmental balance.
Strategic crop rotation, which includes hemp, has proven to be very beneficial in agriculture, especially the potential 10-20% increase in wheat yields after hemp cultivation.
In terms of environmental criteria, the water consumption of industrial hemp is interesting as well. It is significantly lower than that of cotton, making it an ecologically sustainable choice. Hemp uses around 2,123 litres of water per kilogram of fibre produced, significantly less than cotton, which can use up to 9,758 litres per kilogram. This aspect is crucial as water resources are becoming increasingly scarce and agricultural practices that support long-term sustainability are required. Nevertheless, the ratio of industrial hemp to wheat acreage in 2020 was 1:440.
Also worth mentioning is hempcrete - a material made from industrial hemp - which has a remarkable environmental performance in the construction industry, as it stores 110 kg of CO2 per cubic metre, which is in stark contrast to cement concrete, which emits 200 kg of CO2 for the same volume.
Luisa Pfau
From an economic perspective, the report provides compelling data on the profitability of industrial hemp cultivation. For instance, the revenue from organic hemp seeds can reach up to €2,000 per tonne. This is supported by data showing that sales of conventional hemp seeds can also fetch around €800 per tonne.
The applications of industrial hemp span several sectors. As a building material, industrial hemp is used to produce insulation materials and biocomposites. The report shows that hemp-based materials, especially for insulation, represent a niche but growing segment of the market. In 2020, insulation materials made from industrial hemp accounted for around 7% of the market for insulation materials made from renewable raw materials. This share is expected to increase with the rising demand for sustainable building materials.The fibres of industrial hemp are used in creating sustainable building materials and biodegradable plastics, and even find applications in the automotive industry, where they are valued for their strength and lightness.
In the paper industry, industrial hemp is an alternative to conventional wood pulp and offers significant environmental benefits. It is estimated that one hectare of industrial hemp can produce as much paper as 4 to 5 hectares of forest over a 20-year cycle, making it an extremely efficient source of raw materials. In addition, hemp paper can be recycled up to eight times, compared to three times for wood pulp paper, emphasising its sustainability.
This broad utility underscores hemp’s potential to support sustainability not only in agriculture but also in industrial production.
Lea Schmid
Conclusion
The comprehensive data and visuals in the 'ELEMENTE' report make it clear that industrial hemp is not only expanding in terms of cultivation area and economic potential but also playing a crucial role in sustainable agriculture in Germany. With its impressive environmental benefits and increasing market viability, hemp is a crop that could play a significant role in the future of agriculture not only in Germany but globally.
