40 Investor Report Industrial Hemp Sector New Zealand ’ s New Export Opportunity 2020
Hemp online retailers have been instrumental in building a customer base for people to try hemp foods and other products , and then to become repeat customers . In addition to the manufacturers ’ online sales these retailers include :
Hemp retailing specialists ( other than manufacturers selling online )
Hemp Healthcare specialists
• ‘ Hemp for skin and haircare koekoeahemp . com
Supermarkets and Stores
Bulk Hemp Ingredients Due to the versatility of the hemp plant , there is an emerging discussion around bulk hemp ingredients ( as distinct from retail product ), for use in many industries including :
• Food producers to add hemp flour to products such as biscuits , bread and breakfast cereals
• Food supplement companies to add hemp products to protein powder
• Snack manufacturers considering a range of hemp edibles .
Building the hemp innovation eco-system While competition between companies in the hemp sector is a given , it will also be important to collaborate in order to expand the whole market and “ grow the revenue pie ”. Entrepreneurial energy , strong leadership and collaborative partnerships will be needed to create a ‘ hemp innovation eco-system ’.
Priorities include :
• Export planning from an early stage will be essential for growth
• Considering collaboration and managing the scaling up of the industry
• Monitoring international hemp markets – following trends and innovations ,
building strong relationships and intelligence networks , identifying high value global niche markets
• Encouraging the creation of IP and technology that can be licensed to the global industry .
Eco-systems are both organic and structured , they run on torrents of new information , from informal networks and relationships .
Hemp companies and agencies in each hemp region have the benefit of shared location which can lead to partnerships , contracting , and sharing infrastructure .
Below are set out some organisations and suggested networks and resources that are likely to assist the process of developing the hemp innovation ecosystem .
NZ Industrial Hemp Association ( NZHIA ) is a hemp eco-system with 150 grower and R & D members . It provides information , events , and advocacy programmes for its members ’ benefit . NZHIA is also well connected to other national hemp associations in Australia , America , Canada and Europe ( nzhia . com ).