6 Investor Report Industrial Hemp Sector New Zealand ’ s New Export Opportunity 2020
illegal ) and industrial uses .
• The fibre industry is potentially the largest part of the industry , with a high demand for low and high tech end products . It will provide scalable and bankable business plans for investors and farmers . There is a strong local demand for low carbon construction materials grown and made in New Zealand . Ensuring continuity of supply from local sources is a priority in the ‘ newnormal ’ post Covid-19 .
• Growers will improve their on farm management and their yields will increase as new varieties are bred to meet the specifications of the food , fibre and health industries . Farming systems will benefit from this alternate land use , in their rotations . Regenerative hemp will help these systems to become sustainable , and will benefit the soil and ecosystems where it is grown .
• Health applications , which are currently limited by our legal framework , have the potential to bank roll the industry and encourage the development of hemp fibre into packaging and other products that are required to deliver our high value branded products to global niche markets .
Richard Barge Chair of NZ Hemp Industry Association Inc ( 1997 )