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.