Certification requirements hamper hemp exports

EXPERTS say Zimbabwe’s industrial hemp exports face certification and standardisation hurdles, as local producers struggle to meet requirements.
The production and marketing of industrial hemp was legalised through promulgation of Statutory Instrument 218 of the 2020 Agricultural Marketing Authority (Industrial Hemp) Regulations.

“During our first year, we had about 20 hectares under production from which our farmers got over 20 metric tonnes of CBD (cannabidiol) flower. Most of our growers are choosing the CBD flower route ahead of seed production and fibre, owing maybe to its lucrativeness.
“The following year we had around the same hectarage, with about 24 hectares. Production shot up to 40 metric tonnes. We also have farmers who are processing on their farms,” Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) marketing and economic research officer Gerald Mashiri said during The Financial Gazette Executive dialogue this week.
“There are a handful of challenges. So far, we don’t have varieties that are suitable to our local conditions. So, our farmers have to import and this adds to the cost of production itself. Funding is also an issue. We have knowledge gaps across the value chain.
“These require good public and private sector participation to be overcome. We have challenges to do with certification. Most of the markets such as the European Union markets require this certification. Farmers need the GACP certification and processors need GMP certification,” Mashiri added.
“Currently, most of our farmers are still working on obtaining the certification.”
There are also efforts by producers to export the product in processed form.
“We have African Biotech that are doing hemp oil instead of exporting raw hemp. Exports have been limited by certification issues. We have exported about 9 000 metric tonnes of CBD flower to Switzerland,” Mashiri said.
Industrial hemp farmer Munyaradzi Shamudzarira said negative perceptions on the international market also have not changed much.
“Industrial hemp production is targeted at the export market because our economy is currently not ready to consume these products. So we are targeting an export market. But internationally, there are still misconceptions about industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis.
“Financial institutions are not willing to underwrite or support business-to-business transactions that involve the exchange of these products. It’s very difficult to sell through the normal financial institutions because it is quickly flagged as a dangerous drug,” Shamudzarira said.
“Zimbabwe came into this industry after most of the developed countries so we are relying on standards that have been developed for other countries. So that gap in terms of certification and standardisation of our product for the international market is a real hindrance for our farmers.
“It means that we are not able to produce a product that meets the market requirements. It is important that we quickly catch up in that regard.”
Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust chief executive Zorodzai Maroveke expressed optimism that the budding sector would come good.
“As the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust we are willing to continue supporting the industry. It is not an easy industry but I would like to give credit to the government for the sterling work they have done, the political will is there.
“So investors must know that support is there and we would like to thank our regulators for having an open door policy. Each time there is a problem we are able to go there, switch things. They are very flexible because they understand it’s a new industry.”
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