Guy Carpenter of Bear Fiber on an Agricultural Trade Mission

NIHC TO SHOWCASE U.S. HEMP EXPORT POTENTIAL AMID PERU’S EXPANDING INDUSTRIAL HEMP SECTOR

CONTACT: info@hempindustrial.com

NIHC TO SHOWCASE U.S. HEMP EXPORT POTENTIAL AMID PERU’S EXPANDING INDUSTRIAL HEMP SECTOR

[WASHINGTON DC, June 5, 2025] – NIHC is honored to participate in the upcoming U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agribusiness Trade Mission (ATM) to Peru, which will take place in Lima from June 8 to 12, 2025. The trade mission will foster new commercial partnerships and promote U.S. agricultural exports, including the growing industrial hemp sector.

Representing NIHC on this important mission will be:

  • Trey Riddle, Chief Financial Officer of IND HEMP
  • Guy Carpenter, CEO of Bear Fiber
  • Katheren Moreira, NIHC’s In-Market Representative for Latin America

The NIHC delegation will engage in USDA-coordinated business-to-business meetings with Peruvian buyers and government officials to expand awareness of U.S.-grown hemp products and advance regulatory cooperation.

“Our participation in this mission underscores the NIHC’s commitment to opening new markets and building global partnerships for American-grown industrial hemp,” said NIHC President & CEO Patrick Atagi. “Peru’s expanding hemp sector and strong trade ties with the United States represent a promising frontier for U.S. industrial hemp exports. We are excited to be included in this mission, and we thank the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service for its leadership in promoting U.S. agriculture around the globe.”

“As a cooperator in the USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), we are excited to explore opportunities for investment, technical collaboration and supply chain development that benefit both countries,” Atagi added.

Peru’s Hemp Market: An Emerging Opportunity

Peru’s industrial hemp industry is rapidly evolving under a national strategy that supports sustainable agriculture and export-driven innovation. A revised legal framework adopted in December 2023 has created clear guidelines for hemp cultivation, processing, and commercialization. As a result, the Peruvian hemp market was valued at approximately $15 million USD in 2024, with projections reaching $30 million USD by 2028, reflecting a 12–18% compound annual growth rate.

Roughly 3,000 hectares are currently under hemp cultivation for a mix of applications including:

  • Hemp seed oil (dominant product segment)
  • Textiles and fiber-based products
  • Plant extracts and wellness applications
  • Bio-construction materials such as hempcrete

U.S.–Peru Hemp Trade Outlook

Although a formal import-export protocol is not yet in place between Peru’s SENASA and USDA, bilateral discussions and technical exchanges have laid the groundwork for regulatory alignment. According to UN Comtrade, U.S. hemp product exports to Peru totaled $45,137 USD and 18 metric tons in 2024, signaling early-stage but growing trade activity.

Peru ranks as the 34th largest global market for U.S. agricultural exports and the fourth largest in South America, with total U.S. exports reaching $4.8 billion in 2024. Under the U.S.–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, 67% of U.S. agricultural products enter Peru duty-free, offering a strong platform for expanded hemp exports.

Strategic Global Engagement

NIHC’s involvement in this trade mission aligns with its strategic goal of developing international markets for U.S. hemp producers and processors. NIHC continues to advocate for trade frameworks, regulatory harmonization and expanded access for hemp-derived products in global markets.

About the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC):
NIHC is the leading advocacy organization for the industrial hemp industry, dedicated to promoting the growth and development of hemp as a critical agricultural resource. NIHC works to advance the interests of hemp stakeholders at the federal, state and international levels through advocacy, education and collaboration. For more information, visit www.nihcoa.com.

 

Tim McCarthy
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National Industrial Hemp Council Welcomes Tim McCarthy as Senior Advisor

Washington, DC – The National Industrial Hemp Council (NiHC) is proud to announce the appointment of Tim McCarthy as Senior Advisor, effective February 27, 2025. In addition to this new role, Tim will continue to serve as Policy Chair, a position he has held since July 2023, guiding the organization’s efforts to shape hemp policy and regulations.

With a robust background spanning pharmaceutical sales, robotic medical devices, and hemp industry innovation, Tim brings a wealth of expertise to NiHC. A graduate of North Carolina State University with degrees in Economics and Business Management, he has spent the last decade navigating FDA compliance and driving business development. Since 2019, as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at United Natural Hemp Extracts, Tim has spearheaded strategies to expand the reach of hemp extracts while ensuring adherence to DEA, FDA, and USDA regulations. His global advocacy includes representing NiHC at the Asian International Hemp Expo (2022, 2023), the European Industrial Hemp Association conference (2024), and the Tokyo International Hemp Conference (2024).

“Tim’s deep industry knowledge and proven leadership make him an invaluable asset as we advance the hemp agenda,” said President and CEO, Patrick Atagi. In his dual roles, Tim will continue to educate policymakers and champion standards that foster sustainable growth in the industrial hemp sector.

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SEI and NIHC Enter MOU to offer the ASTM HEMPQ + NIHC Certification Program for Test Laboratories

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Safety Equipment Institute, an affiliate of ASTM International, and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) announced today they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a joint certification program for hemp testing laboratories. This initiative will lead to industry harmonization and embed confidence of hemp brands promoting consumer health and safety.

“We’re excited for this program that we believe will strengthen consumer confidence and be a value add for hemp producers. Partnering with SEI and ASTM International, who have a rich history in certification and standardization, should make for an excellent partnership.” said Patrick Atagi, President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America.

“ASTM international is the world leader in developing cannabis standards and we are proud to partner with NIHC to administer this program to fill a marketplace need,” says Tricia Hock, Director of Certification Operations with the Safety Equipment Institute. “This effort coincides with the work of ASTM International’s cannabis committee (D37) which includes over 1000 members from 32 different countries. We believe delivering a joint certification program for hemp testing laboratories is a critical first step in harmonizing the hemp industry.”

The certification program, known as ASTM International’s CANNQ/HEMPQ Certification Program, is the first independent certification of its kind in the hemp and cannabis industry.  The testing laboratory certification program is part of a broader collaborative initiative among the Safety Equipment Institute and the National Industrial Hemp Council of America.

ASTM International is a not-for-profit nongovernmental organization that develops voluntary consensus standards and defers to appropriate government authorities to determine the legal and regulatory framework regarding the control and use of cannabis.

To learn more about ASTM International’s efforts in the cannabis space, visit www.astmcannabis.org.

About NIHC

The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. For more information, please go to www.nihcoa.com.

About ASTM International

Committed to serving global societal needs, ASTM International positively impacts public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. We integrate consensus standards – developed with our international membership of volunteer technical experts – and innovative services to improve lives… Helping our world work better.

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NIHC and HCANN-CR Enter MOU to Advance the Brand of Hemp Throughout the Americas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC) and the Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council (HCANN-CR) announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on issues including improving the quality of hemp research, marketing, networking, and consumer protection services to strengthen and advance the brand of hemp in the global marketplace.

“As NIHC continues to increase our global footprint, partnering with HCANN-CR presents a tremendous opportunity to promote American hemp in the Western Hemisphere,” said Patrick Atagi, President and CEO of the National Industrial Hemp Council of America. “Working directly with our colleagues in Costa Rica will be a value add for American hemp producers with additional research opportunities and brand promotion to promote the hemp economy in both countries.”

“This alliance enhances the historical commercial partnership between the United States of America and Costa Rica,” said Roy Thompson, Chairman of HCANN-CR. “The global hemp industry can help create thousands of jobs in Costa Rica, generating economic and social benefits for our population and the access to better and safer products for the consumers around the world. We recognize the American hemp industry as a global leader in technology, standards, and the importance of the environment as a priority.  We are united by history, commerce, and values. We celebrate this agreement with great excitement.”

HCANN-CR and NIHC intend to strengthen the relationships between the organizations to improve the quality of hemp research, marketing, networking, and consumer protection services to advance the brand of hemp domestically and internationally. Together, they hope to identify and seek funding opportunities through numerous private, non-profit, and governmental organizations to increase the quality of industrial hemp research guiding public policy in both countries.

NIHC already participates with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the Market Access Program (MAP) and has written a unified export strategy for the markets of Europe and Asia. While the agreement announced today between the two parties is not part of a cooperative agreement with the MAP program, NIHC can nonetheless rely on experiences in working with foreign governments overseas and utilize best practices in the international marketplace to develop more networking opportunities and open further markets in Costa Rica for hemp producers in the United States.

The Costa Rican government recently approved the cultivation, processing, storage and transportation of cannabis production including industrial hemp. The new Costa Rican law does not allow for the recreational use of higher-THC cannabis.

About the National Industrial Hemp Council of America: The National Industrial Hemp Council of America provides high-quality networking and resources for its members, from farm to consumer. Its leadership is composed of leading international, federal, state, private industry, and government professionals throughout the sector. The organization is dedicated to furthering market development, assisting members in entering the industry, and educating consumers on industrial hemp and its applications. For more information, please go to www.nihcoa.com.

About the Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council: The Hemp and Cannabis Costa Rica Council (HCANN-CR) was established by a team of global industry leaders in cannabis and global policy. HCANN-CR members represent a variety of sectors within the hemp and medical marijuana industry including growers and farmers, suppliers and equipment, processing and extraction, laboratory testing, professional services, manufacturers, wholesale and retail, medical professionals, and consumers. For more information, please go to www.hcann-cr.com.

 
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The Textile Exchange's purpose is to build a global fiber and materials production model that positively impacts our planet.
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