Canada Takes the Lead as the Largest Importer of Hemp Seeds in 2023, USDA Report Reveals

Canada has emerged as the undisputed leader in the hemp seed trade in 2023, taking the lead with an impressive total of $55 million in imports, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

National Weekly Hemp Report (USDA)

Of the $55 million, approximately $46.8 million was directed towards food seeds, while $5.0 million was allocated to “hemp cakes” (plant-based protein concentrates) and $3.6 million to hemp seed oil. The province of Manitoba stood out as the main supplier, contributing a significant $43 million to this total, according to details. 

In comparison, hemp grain production in the United States in 2022 was modestly estimated at a mere $3.63 million, as indicated by the same report, which closely monitors domestic production. 

Total food seed imports in the U.S. reached $49.5 million last year, with Canada leading the ranking. Among the top five importers, Lithuania stood out with $1.8 million, China with $615,000, Peru with $64,000, and the Netherlands with $52,000. 

Other Products in Focus 

The Netherlands solidified its position as the top exporter of hemp seeds to the U.S., sending a significant amount of $2.6 million out of the $4 million recorded last year. Other key countries in exporting seeds to the U.S. included Spain, with $566,000, and France, with $483,750. 

In the hemp textile materials segment, imports in two categories totaled approximately $2.1 million. Yarns accounted for $1.3 million, with about $900,000 coming from Romania and $359,000 from China. Fabric imports reached $829,000, with half of that amount ($409,000) originating from China. The Philippines dominated twine imports, totaling $2.7 million, representing over 99% of that value. 

Last year marked the beginning of weekly import reports produced by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. These reports, dedicated exclusively to imported hemp products, track retail prices for a variety of seed-based products, providing in-depth analysis at both national and regional levels. 

Although hemp import volumes to the U.S. are small compared to other crops like corn and soybeans, they offer valuable insights into the evolution of trade relations in the global industry. Other countries mentioned in the report, with smaller quantities of hemp products sold in the U.S., include Australia, Egypt, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Iceland, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. 

The weekly reports complement the annual National Hemp Report initiated by the USDA two years ago, which surveys over 20,000 hemp producers across the country to provide a comprehensive view of the industry, including planted area, harvest numbers, and crop values. The latest report estimated the total value of hemp produced domestically at $238 million in 2022, highlighting flower yields at $205 million, fiber at $28.3 million, and grains at $3.6 million.