A representative from the National Industrial Hemp Council of America promotes US hemp exports in Taiwan.

Trade Mission to Taiwan

Strengthening U.S. Industrial Hemp Abroad

NIHC is proud to collaborate with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) as an official cooperator for foreign market promotion programs, working with American agribusinesses to ensure that U.S. hemp has a strong, trusted presence in the global marketplace.

Guy Carpenter of Bear Fiber, Inc. and Trey Riddle of IND HEMP, represented NIHC in meetings with new business partners across the textile and consumer sectors. Highlights included when Trey Riddle shared the benefits of hemp oil for cosmetics, sparking interest among Taiwanese companies looking for sustainable, high-quality ingredients. 

NIHC’s delegation met with leading Taiwanese yarn spinners and textile companies, opening doors for future partnerships and showcasing how American hemp fiber can support innovation, sustainability, and reliability in global supply chains.

The delegation was also honored to receive a banner from our Taiwanese partners, symbolizing the importance of the U.S.–Taiwan trade relationship and the opportunities ahead for industrial hemp and other agricultural products.

Through collaboration, transparency, and science-based expertise, NIHC continues to position U.S. industrial hemp as a trusted material for the international marketplace. 

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Agricultural Trade Mission to Peru

Answering Demand for Natural, Sustainable, and Plant-Based Products with U.S. Hemp Exports

Team NIHC was taking action to open markets during the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Agricultural Trade Mission to Lima, Peru, where demand for natural, sustainable, and plant-based products is rising. With U.S. hemp exports to Peru growing by more than 1,100% from 2022 to 2023, the timing couldn’t be better to showcase the potential of U.S. industrial hemp in Latin America.

Our delegation—Trey Riddle of IND HEMP, Guy Carpenter of Bear Fiber, Inc. and Katheren Moreira Aristiguieta, our NIHC In-Market Representative for Latin America—contributed to strategic discussions on expanding U.S. hemp exports and building sustainable partnerships across the Americas. They reported strong interest in U.S. hemp oil, seeds, and hearts, with Peruvian buyers requesting samples and information on import pathways.

Highlights—The NIHC delegation:

  • Joined fellow USDA cooperators for a valuable session with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel Whitley, Agricultural Counselor Anthony J. Gilbert Gilbert and Attaché Robert Tuebner to share updates on Peru’s upcoming hemp regulations, which will open new doors for U.S. exports in textiles, food, cosmetics, and animal feed, and of initial U.S. hemp fiber sales in Peru.
  • Discussed joint promotion of hemp-cotton fiber innovation with Cotton USA-Latin America and explored partnerships to offer higher-value, sustainable textiles to manufacturers serving U.S. and European luxury brands. Aligned efforts to shift the region away from synthetics and toward natural fiber alternatives.
  • Engaged with Chargé d’Affaires Joan Perkins, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel Whitley, Peru’s Minister of Agriculture and others at a high-level networking reception with government and industry officials.
  • Visited Corporativa Productiva, an importer of U.S. lentils and dry beans, where we discussed the region’s growing demand for organic and residue-free products, with U.S. pulses from Montana standing out for their clean profile.
  • Attended one-on-one B2B meetings with companies like Vive Verde show strong interest in sustainable, health-conscious U.S. products.

A big thank you to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service for including us in this important trip and underscoring the importance of expanding U.S.-Peru ag trade partnerships. We’re energized by the opportunities ahead and proud to represent U.S. industrial hemp in this rapidly growing market.

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Stay current with NIHC’s activity to promote Industrial Hemp: Follow us on LinkedIn.

Guy Carpenter displays industrial hemp products on Peru 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
,

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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The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services division for the Plant Industry includes hemp. This page explains the regulations for hemp in North Carolina and how to add your hemp business to the state registry.
The Textile Exchange's purpose is to build a global fiber and materials production model that positively impacts our planet.
The US Hemp Building Association advocates for hemp building professionals, projects, and materials in the United States. They work to establish and stabilize a thriving American hemp building industry.

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