History of industrial hemp in Ukraine
On the territory of Ukraine industrial hemp has been largely cultivated since the Trypilian and Scythians eras. Emerging from Central Asia, hemp made its first appearance in Ukraine in the 16th century and continued its rapid expansion further into Central Europe, and today this plant holds the key to sustainable development of our population.
Key periods of hemp cultivation
in Ukraine
Already in the middle ages hemp was grown in Ukraine on an industrial scale. Although the majority has been exported, a significant amount of hemp materials were utilized domestically in elementary textiles production such as clothes, and shoes, as well as manufacturing of ropes, animal feed and oil. Yet the concrete and verified data concerning the cultivation of hemp on the territory of Ukraine begin in 1900 and are divided into 4 major phases.
Sown areas for hemp in Ukraine, in ths ha
1 phase
1900 250 ths ha
1918-1920 67 ths ha
Period of the Russian Empire
Since the middle of the 16th century, large areas were planted with hemp in Ukraine. The material was utilized for domestic needs and exported to foreign countries.After the abolition of serfdom and the Stolypin reforms, production actively developed by the introduction of an advanced processing technology. But during the October Revolution, huge social changes took place — the First World War, the Civil War, the Great Famine — which led to a drastic reduction of hemp production in favor of potatoes and other food crops.
250 ths ha
of hemp production on the territory of Ukraine in 1906-1916. The Russian Empire at the same time had 80% of the world's acreage under this culture.
72 provinces
Hemp was grown in the Russian Empire. On the territory of Ukraine, especially in the regions of Poltava, Sumy, and Chernihiv. The economic benefit made hemp very popular among the population.
183 ths ha
The production of Hemp in Ukraine decreased. This happened as a result of a series of social changes that brought the population of the former empire to the brink of starvation.
2 phase
1928290 ths ha
19913 ths ha
Ukraine in the period of the USSR
The first step of the Soviet authorities was the requisition of food from the citizens, which significantly reduced hemp production. The revival of hemp cultivation began in the 1930s, already under the planned economy, with the creation of special cooperatives. In the 1950s, domestic demand for hemp raw materials fell sharply. Outdated hemp processing technology, insufficient research on seed production and a change in agricultural priorities (raising the virgin land of Mykyta Khrushchev”s times) led to an almost complete abandonment of this crop.
290 ths ha
acreage of hemp planted on territory of Ukraine in 1928 thanks to the Bolsheviks' introduction of the New Economic Policy (that is, temporary capitalism).
1961
The United Nations adopted the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, an international document whose purpose is to limit access to cannabis products and other narcotic substances.
90.9 ths tons
Hemp fiber was produced at the hemp plants of the USSR in 1971-1975, and over the next 13 years this indicator fell by half.
3 phase
19913 ths ha
2022 3 ths ha
Times of Independence
After Ukraine gained its independence, hemp cultivation continued to decline. This was mainly facilitated by the outdated technology, lack of economic effect from product sales, the lack of production of specialized equipment and the lack of state support. In 2012 a resolution No. 800 was adopted, which defined the concept of «industrial hemp»: these are varieties that do not have a narcotic effect. Subsequently, hemp farms appeared and work on seed production began. In general, hemp growing in Ukraine began to revive.
0.26 ths ha
of hemp grown in 2009 — which is the lowest volume in Ukraine's history following its independence, followed by a gradual development of the industry.
70-80%
was the level of wear and tear of equipment and means of mechanization for the hemp industry, which were left as a legacy from the times of the Soviet Union and the planned economy.
August 22, 2012
Resolution No. 800 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine was adopted, which defined the term «industrial hemp»: defining hemp varieties with no narcotic effect — the content of THC does not exceed 0.08%.
Geography of hemp production in Ukraine as of 2016, ths ha
5.0 ths ha
In 2016, the largest acreage of hemp production was recorded in Ukraine since its Independence. According to the legislation of Ukraine, the areas intended for the cultivation of hemp are clearly defined and cannot be changed.
4 phase
2023 1.8 ths ha
2050 (forecast) 171 ths ha
Ukraine of the future
Ukraine has a long tradition of hemp growing and plans to develop this industry on a national level. Ukraine's accession into the European Union will open a large market for Ukrainian hemp products. The world legalizes the cultivation of hemp for industrial use, which stimulates the market. In 2021, the volume of the industrial hemp market was 4.45 billion US dollars. According to Grand View Research forecasts, in 2030, the market volume will reach 60.68 billion US dollars. By 2050, Ukraine will become a leading producer of industrial hemp and hemp products.
0.08%
The maximum content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), legally allowed in Ukraine, is the lowest in the world (for example, in the USA and Canada, the average allowed level is 0.3%).
2027
a significant part of the population of Ukraine perceives it as the year of accession to the European Union and the NATO bloc, according to other forecasts, it may happen even earlier.
60.68 billion dollars
will make up the volume of the world market for industrial hemp in 2030, according to the Grand View Research consulting agency.
Global hemp production, ths tons
Global research and analysis agencies (such as Statista and Grand View Research) predict rapid growth in the production and consumption of hemp products in the coming decade. This is due to the fact that the world community aims to reduce its NET ecological footprint.
The growing needs of people, in addition to the usual paper and plastic, also stimulate the production of hemp
0.63 million tons of hemp
to be produced in the world in 2030, according to the Grand View Research research company.
464 million tons of paper
to be produced in the world in 2030, according to the estimation of the analytical company Statista.
495 million tons of plastic
to be produced in the world in 2030, according to the estimation of the analytical company Statista.
