National Industrial Hemp Council Releases 2025 Year in Review Report

National Industrial Hemp Council Releases 2025 Year in Review Report

Washington, D.C. Dec. 17, 2025—NIHC today released a 2025 Year in Review, highlighting a pivotal year of progress for the U.S. industrial hemp industry marked by expanded global market access, strengthened domestic infrastructure, higher testing and quality standards and continued leadership on science-based policy.

“This year demonstrated what is possible when leadership, science and collaboration align,” said NIHC President and CEO Patrick Atagi. “As we close the year, I am grateful to our members and partners who continued to move the industry forward amid legislative uncertainty and evolving market conditions. With the support of our partnership with USDA, 2025 showed what is possible when we work together to promote American hemp globally. I am optimistic that in 2026 the industry will unite around shared solutions that create the certainty needed for bold growth, expanded markets and long-term success.”

The NIHC 2025 Year in Review outlines the organization’s progress in export development, infrastructure building, standards and testing integrity and policy leadership, while also setting a clear roadmap for continued growth in 2026, including: 

• Expanded U.S. hemp’s global reach by representing the U.S. in eight countries across five continents, supported by USDA promotion programs and funding.
• Convened the first-ever Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit, bringing nearly 200 growers, processors, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers together at NC State University to advance U.S. fiber infrastructure, standards and collaboration. 
• Enhanced national policy conversations by advancing a unified, Fit for Purpose regulatory framework and working directly with Administration and Congressional leaders.
• Raised the bar on quality and testing integrity by expanding the NIHC Verify program nationwide in partnership with A2LA, supporting adoption of NIST hemp reference materials, and laying the groundwork for the upcoming NIHC Compliance Platform. 

The full report is available here.

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The National Industrial Hemp Council is the trusted voice of America’s industrial hemp industry. We bring together growers, processors, manufacturers, and policymakers to build a marketplace based on consistency, transparency, and consumer trust. As a vetted partner of the federal government, we use federal funds to support our mission: to give consumers confidence, provide businesses with clarity, and position U.S. hemp as an essential part of the global economy. We achieve this through guidance from subject matter experts, industry experience, and science-based programs. To foster a thriving global industry, we work with international hemp partners through our membership and participation in the Federation of International Hemp Organizations (FIHO), the Asian Industrial Hemp Federation (AIHF), as well as ASTM International, the American Society for Testing and Materials, and A2LA, Assessment Accreditation Services. Learn more at www.nihcoa.com.