Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global hemp textile market was valued at USD 1.43 billion in 2021
The hemp textile market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.7% from 2022 to 2030
Asia Pacific accounted for over 30% of the hemp textile market share in 2021
China is the world’s largest producer of hemp fiber, responsible for 70% of global output
One acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton
Hemp uses approximately 50% less water than cotton to grow
Hemp can be harvested in 90–120 days, much faster than cotton
Europe cultivated over 35,000 hectares of hemp in 2021
The global hemp fiber market was valued at USD 5.33 billion in 2022
The U.S. imported over USD 67.3 million worth of raw hemp and hemp textiles in 2022
Organic hemp fiber makes up around 20% of sustainable textile initiatives globally
The hemp apparel market is projected to reach USD 10.12 billion by 2028
The hemp textile sector may reduce CO2 emissions by over 7 tons per hectare
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Hemp uses approximately 50% less water than cotton to grow
- Organic hemp fiber makes up around 20% of sustainable textile initiatives globally
- The hemp textile sector may reduce CO2 emissions by over 7 tons per hectare
- Hemp textiles require less than one-third of the land area needed by cotton
- As of 2023, over 60% of hemp textile businesses prioritize environmentally friendly sourcing
- Over 80% of consumers consider hemp clothing more sustainable than traditional cloth
- Hemp clothing production emits less than half the carbon footprint of cotton
- Hemp’s natural resistance to pests reduces pesticide use by up to 100%
- Hemp fabric is biodegradable and decomposes in about 6 months
- 60% of sustainable fashion brands now include hemp in their collections
- Growing hemp can improve soil health by reducing compaction and toxicity
- Over 70% of sustainable designers consider hemp fiber for circular fashion
- Hemp garment production uses 20-30% less energy than cotton
- The textile industry's CO2 reduction potential by switching to hemp is 31%
- Industrial hemp can be grown without any synthetic fertilizers
- 1 kg of cotton emits about 2.1 kg CO2 vs. 0.6 kg CO2 for 1 kg of hemp
- 65% of millennials prefer clothing made from hemp over synthetics
- Hemp absorbs 1.63 tons of CO2 per metric ton of fiber produced
Interpretation
In a world stitching together sustainability, hemp struts down the runway as fashion’s eco-champion—using half the water, a fraction of the land, barely any chemicals, and soaking up carbon like a stylish sponge, all while convincing millennials and designers alike that green is the new black.
Fiber Properties and Applications
- Hemp fiber contains over 70% cellulose, making it stronger than cotton
- Hemp fabric is up to 3 times more durable than cotton fabric
- Hemp fabric provides natural UV protection up to SPF 50
- Around 60% of hemp fiber harvested in France is used for textile manufacturing
- Hemp textile blends with cotton are 50% softer and 30% stronger
- Hemp clothing has 25% less shrinkage during laundering compared to cotton
- The first hemp denim line launched in 2019 by Levi’s featured 30% hemp content
- Over 90 universities globally conduct research on hemp applications including textiles
- Over 12% of global patents related to hemp involve textile processing
- Hemp fiber’s tensile strength is over 250 MPa, compared to cotton's 130 MPa
- Hemp fibers recover up to 80% post stretching, improving textile lifespan
- Hemp bast fiber length ranges up to 55 mm, offering advantageous spinning qualities
Interpretation
Stronger, softer, smarter, and more sustainable, hemp fiber is weaving its way to the forefront of the textile revolution—proving that the future of fashion might just grow in a field.
Market Size and Growth
- The global hemp textile market was valued at USD 1.43 billion in 2021
- The hemp textile market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33.7% from 2022 to 2030
- The global hemp fiber market was valued at USD 5.33 billion in 2022
- The U.S. imported over USD 67.3 million worth of raw hemp and hemp textiles in 2022
- The hemp apparel market is projected to reach USD 10.12 billion by 2028
- The U.S. hemp fiber output increased 58% from 2021 to 2022
- In 2021, over 9,000 acres of hemp were grown for fiber in the U.S.
- The market for hemp in home textiles is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.3% through 2030
- The global market share for natural fiber textiles is expected to increase 12.5% yearly due to hemp
- India's hemp textiles market is projected to grow over 20% CAGR through 2028
- U.S. hemp acreage for fiber doubled between 2020 and 2022
- 92% of hemp textile companies reported higher demand between 2021–2023
- Global production of hemp fiber is estimated at more than 250,000 metric tons in 2022
- Indian textile exporters report 80% higher export value for hemp apparel than cotton
- Global hemp clothing exports were valued at over USD 212 million in 2021
- Japan’s hemp textiles sector has grown 15% year-over-year since 2019
- Women’s hemp clothing products account for over 60% of total hemp apparel sales globally
- The average retail price of hemp t-shirts is 25–30% higher than cotton ones
- In 2023, the global demand for hemp linen surged by 40%
- Sweden's hemp fabric exports grew by 180% between 2020 and 2022
- U.K. brands increase hemp-based fashion lines by 250% from 2019 to 2022
- Globally, the average price for hemp fiber per ton is around USD 1,500
- Australia’s hemp fiber market grew 12.4% in 2022 with increased textile usage
Interpretation
Once a fringe fabric favored by eco-enthusiasts, hemp has spun itself into a global textile powerhouse—growing faster than weeds, outpacing cotton in value, and weaving sustainability into the seams of fashion and industry at a breakneck CAGR.
Production Efficiency and Yield
- One acre of hemp can produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton
- Hemp can be harvested in 90–120 days, much faster than cotton
- Hemp grows rapidly and can reach heights of 12–15 feet in 100 days
- Hemp can produce 250% more fiber than cotton on the same land area
- Hemp produces 1400 pounds of fiber per acre compared to cotton’s 500 pounds
- The EU textile hemp harvest yields up to 3.5 tons per hectare
Interpretation
In a world urgently craving sustainable solutions, hemp towers—literally and figuratively—over cotton, churning out up to 250% more fiber per acre in less time, on less land, and with a growth spurt that makes it the sprinter of the textile world.
Regional Production and Trends
- Asia Pacific accounted for over 30% of the hemp textile market share in 2021
- China is the world’s largest producer of hemp fiber, responsible for 70% of global output
- Europe cultivated over 35,000 hectares of hemp in 2021
- The EU provides growing subsidies for hemp cultivation up to €300 per hectare
- In 2022, Canada produced over 55,000 acres of industrial hemp, a portion of which was used in textiles
- Approximately 32 countries have legal hemp production for textile purposes
- European textile companies are sourcing more than 10,000 tons of hemp fiber annually
- Italy has over 1,000 hectares dedicated to hemp textile cultivation
- Austria produces 6,000+ tons of hemp fiber annually focused on textiles
- Brazil launched its first commercial-scale hemp textile plant in 2022
- Over 100 textile manufacturers in Bangladesh are exploring hemp fiber alternatives
- The majority of hemp grown for textiles in North America is of Chinese cultivars
- Hemp seedings for fiber outpace CBD cultivations 2:1 in many U.S. states
- In Russia, industrial hemp is grown on over 8,000 hectares for textile use
Interpretation
From China's fiber dominance to Europe's subsidies and North America's shifting sow lines, the global hemp textile boom is weaving a fast-growing, eco-conscious economy—thread by strategic thread.