Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1.
Countries Cultivating hemp in 2004
Area of hemp
in 2004 (ha)
Other European
countries
Area of hemp in
2004 (ha)
Europe 25 3
Germany
1730
Romania
2000
Austria
397
Russia
2500
Belgium
0
Serbia
200
Denmark
0
Ukraine
1000
Spain
678
TOTAL
Other European countries
5700
Estonia
PM
ASIA 4 (estimations)
Finland
6
China
65000
France
8 427
North Korea
13000
Great Britain
1 640
South Korea
224
Holland
27
Japan
20
Hungary
539
Turkey
700
Ireland
22
TOTAL Asia
78944
Italy
885
Australia
Latria
PM
Australia
250
Lithuania
PM
North America
Poland
81
Canada
5500
Slavakia
PM
South America
Sweden
PM
Chile (FAO)
4300
Czech Republic
500
Africa
TOTAL
Europe 25
South Africa
PM
14932
TOTAL WORLD
105756
3. Data from the EU.
4. Data from FAO and estimations
* PM = not recorded
the political alignment of these two countries
with the repressive restrictions of the USA.
However, the price of oil, together with current
environmental concerns, may well see produc-
tion increase in these countries, particularly
following recent moves in favour of the use of
natural fibres.
The figures for China have been estimated,
as it has been impossible to obtain a reliable
estimate. Chinese production is undeniable,
however, for:
to various countries in the developed world.
The existence of dioecious hemp, from which
the best fibres for weaving are obtained, can
therefore be assumed. The large quantities of
exported hemp textiles point to an extensive
programme of cultivation.
3. We now know that five large companies cul-
tivate, for their own use, some 50,000 ha. Their
crops are produced using modern technologies
and are destined for the textile industry.
4. If we add the surface area under cultiva-
tion for internal demands, a total area of
65,000 ha under cultivation can be proposed
as the absolute minimum.
1. Every year the Chinese export to Europe
5000-6000 t of hemp seed for use as animal
(bird) feed. The Chinese also supply neigh-
bouring markets with organic hemp seed,
Japan in particular. This allows us to estimate,
taking into account yields, a surface area of
some 10,000 ha under cultivation.
2. China exports a wide range of clothing,
textile and decorative items made from hemp
In Australia, the pioneers of Ecofibre have
come a long way in 15 years to re-establish
hemp as a legitimate crop. They have lob-
bied successfully for changes in the law,
undertaken seed trials, developed appropri-
ate local farming and harvesting techniques,
 
 
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