Global Hemp Tow Market - the UK Saw the Highest Growth Rates of Imports in the World

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Hemp Tow - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Global Hemp Tow Trade 2013-2018

In 2018, approx. 16K tonnes of hemp tow were exported worldwide. In value terms, hemp tow exports totaled $20M (IndexBox estimates). The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the period from 2013 to 2018.

Exports by Country

France represented the largest exporter of hemp tow in the world, with the volume of exports recording 9.6K tonnes, which was approx. 60% of total exports in 2018. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (3K tonnes), making up an 18% share of total exports. Germany (651 tonnes), Mauritius (604 tonnes), Switzerland (465 tonnes), the U.S. (419 tonnes) and Romania (317 tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2018, average annual rates of growth with regard to hemp tow exports from France stood at +6.9%. At the same time, Switzerland (+496.8%), Romania (+90.3%), the Netherlands (+42.2%), the U.S. (+39.5%) and Mauritius (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Switzerland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +496.8% from 2013-2018. 

By contrast, Germany (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2018, the share of France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.S. and Romania increased by +17%, +15%, +2.9%, +2.1% and +1.9% percentage points, while Germany (-2.6 p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($9M) remains the largest hemp tow supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($3.1M), with a 16% share of global exports. It was followed by Romania, with a 7.1% share.

Export Prices by Country

The average hemp tow export price stood at $1,231 per tonne in 2018, approximately equating the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Romania ($4,460 per tonne), while Switzerland ($587 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports by Country

In 2018, Spain (5.2K tonnes) and Germany (4.6K tonnes) were the main importers of hemp tow in the world, together committing 65% of total imports. The UK (984 tonnes) held the next position in the ranking, followed by the Czech Republic (910 tonnes). All these countries together took approx. 13% share of total imports. Sweden (546 tonnes), the U.S. (435 tonnes), Poland (426 tonnes) and France (311 tonnes) occupied a little share of total imports.

In value terms, Germany ($5.8M), the Czech Republic ($4.1M) and Spain ($2.7M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, with a combined 62% share of global imports. The UK, Poland, the U.S., France and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

The UK (+73.5% per year) 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 imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average hemp tow import price amounted to $1,342 per tonne, growing by 28% against the previous year.  In 2018, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($4,462 per tonne), while Spain ($517 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform