$100 Billion Potential: Turkey Is Ready for the Hemp Market

Hemp, distinguished by the breadth of its applications and environmentally friendly characteristics, is being positioned among the strategic raw materials of the future. At the Hemp Workshop for a Sustainable Future held in the EIB service building by the Aegean Exporters Associations and the Textile Engineers Chamber (TMO) Izmir Branch, it was emphasized that Turkey could be an important player in the global hemp market, which is expected to reach 100 billion dollars by 2050.

Aegean Ready-to-Wear and Confection Exporters Association Vice Chairman Çağlar Bağcı stated, "Although neglected for many years, hemp is a product with high potential not only from an environmental perspective, but also from economic and strategic standpoints, thanks to its low water requirements, soil enrichment properties, recyclable structure and contribution to ecological balance. At the same time, hemp, with its lightness, durability and fire-resistant properties, is suitable for preference not only in textiles, but also in many sectors ranging from automotive to building materials, from the paper industry to composite products.

Hemp, thanks to its versatile applications and environmentally friendly properties, is a candidate to become one of the shining raw materials of the future. In this respect, it is not merely a product, but also carries potential to become one of the building blocks of sustainable industrial policies. For the ready-to-wear and confection sector, sustainability is no longer a choice, but an inevitable necessity. Particularly with the European Union Green Deal regulations coming into force in 2026, our sector's turn toward natural fibers is becoming unavoidable. In this context, hemp is not only an environmentally friendly alternative, but will also be a critical solution for our sector in the process of adapting to new regulations," he said.

An important raw material for our sector and sustainability
Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters Association Vice Chairman Muzaffer Kayhan stated, "Hemp is a plant distinguished by its versatile uses, environmentally friendly production characteristics and high economic potential. In the textile and ready-to-wear sectors, it is preferred thanks to its durability and longevity, high resistance to UV rays, recyclability and biodegradability, and natural antibacterial properties. Our association will continue to provide support for the widespread use of hemp, which is an important raw material for our sector and sustainability.

The main environmental characteristics of hemp are: it requires 50–70 percent less water compared to traditional fibers like cotton. It is naturally resistant to pests and minimizes the use of pesticides and herbicides. It offers multiple harvests per year and uses soil productively. Thanks to its phytoremediation properties, it cleans contaminated soils and increases organic matter accumulation. Most importantly, through its carbon sink characteristic, it absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere, contributing to climate change mitigation, and rapidly stores carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere through photosynthesis. These characteristics make hemp a strategic product not only from an economic perspective, but also from an ecological one," he said.

An environmentally friendly alternative with biodegradable properties
Textile Engineers Chamber Izmir Branch Chairman Tuğrul Tamturk stated, "The concept of sustainability has become an indispensable compass for all sectors. The textile sector must also be part of this transformation. There is significant potential in hemp, which is referred to as the fiber of the future. Thanks to its rapid growth, this plant absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and at the same time, with its biodegradable properties, it is an environmentally friendly alternative. Fibers obtained from hemp impart superior qualities to textile products with their durability and natural structure. Its seeds are also valued in the food and cosmetics industries, while its stalks are used in bicomposite materials and energy production. These characteristics make hemp a raw material that perfectly adapts to a circular economy," he said.

Will exceed 100 billion dollars
Marka Textile Consulting Company Founder Nebahat Kılıç stated, "According to the International Energy Agency, by 2050 the market size of products including hemp will exceed 100 billion dollars. Currently, China and France stand out as the most influential countries in this market. Turkey has significant potential to capture a share of this market. Hemp is a product that can be integrated into the bioplastics, textiles, building materials, food, paper, compost and energy sectors. We need to increase awareness on this subject," she said.