Top 7 China Hemp Companies 2025
China is the world's largest hemp producer by cultivated area, with over 100,000 hectares of industrial hemp planted annually. China has a long history of hemp cultivation dating back thousands of years and is the global leader in hemp fiber production, hemp textiles, and hemp construction materials. In 2024, China harvested approximately 300,000 tons of raw hemp fiber and 150,000 tons of hemp seeds. The industry spans agriculture, textile manufacturing, construction materials, food and health products, and CBD processing. Key provinces include Yunnan (where medical/research cannabis cultivation is permitted), Heilongjiang (industrial hemp leader), and Anhui.
Hempsmile (汉麻集团)
Revenue: ¥3B+ (2024)
Hempsmile is China's largest private hemp enterprise, operating across the full hemp value chain from cultivation to finished products. The company produces hemp textiles, hemp building materials, hemp paper, CBD extracts, and hemp food products. Hempsmile operates cultivation bases in Yunnan, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia, and has invested in advanced hemp fiber processing technology. The company is China's largest CBD exporter, supplying international markets with CBD isolate and full-spectrum extracts.
China Hemp Group (中国汉麻集团)
Revenue: ¥5B+ (2024)
China Hemp Group is a state-owned enterprise overseeing China's strategic hemp industry development. The company manages hemp cultivation programs, operates hemp processing facilities, and coordinates research partnerships with agricultural universities. China Hemp Group plays a key role in China's national hemp industry standards and policies, and operates the country's largest hemp breeding and seed production programs.
Yunnan Industrial Hemp (云南工业大麻)
Cultivation: 10,000+ hectares
Yunnan Industrial Hemp is a leading hemp cultivation and processing company in Yunnan Province, the only Chinese province that permits medical and research cannabis cultivation under specific regulations. The company focuses on high-CBD hemp varieties for pharmaceutical and wellness applications. Yunnan's favorable climate allows year-round cultivation, and the company has developed proprietary hemp varieties with standardized CBD content. Yunnan's regulatory framework has attracted significant investment in hemp processing infrastructure.
Heilongjiang Tianfang Hemp (黑龙江天纺)
Revenue: ¥2B+ (2024)
Heilongjiang Tianfang Hemp is a leading hemp fiber processing and textile manufacturing company in Heilongjiang Province, China's largest industrial hemp growing region. The company operates advanced hemp fiber decortication and processing facilities, producing long hemp fibers for textile applications and short fibers for paper and composite materials. Tianfang has developed innovative hemp-cotton blend textiles and supplies major textile manufacturers across China.
Shanxi Gangmao (山西缸套)
Revenue: ¥1.5B+ (2024)
Shanxi Gangmao is a pioneer in hemp-based construction materials in China, producing hempcrete (hemp-lime composite), hemp insulation boards, and hemp fiber-reinforced building materials. The company's hempcrete products are used in eco-friendly construction projects across northern China, providing excellent thermal insulation, moisture regulation, and carbon sequestration properties. Hempcrete buildings can store up to 160 kg of CO2 per cubic meter.
Anhui Golden Field (安徽金田)
Revenue: ¥1B+ (2024)
Anhui Golden Field specializes in hemp seed production, hemp seed oil processing, and hemp protein products. The company operates one of China's largest hemp seed breeding programs, developing high-yielding and high-oil-content hemp varieties. Anhui Golden Field's products include cold-pressed hemp seed oil, hemp protein powder, hemp hearts, and hemp-based food products distributed through retail channels across China.
Bamafa (巴马发)
Revenue: ¥2B+ (2024)
Bamafa is a major Chinese hemp processing company specializing in CBD extraction and hemp-derived product manufacturing. The company operates GMP-certified extraction facilities producing CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and hemp terpenes for export to international markets. Bamafa has developed proprietary extraction processes using supercritical CO2 technology and serves clients in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific markets.
Comparison Table
| Company | Segment | Revenue | Scale | Export | Province | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hempsmile | Full value chain | ¥3B+ | Multi-province | CBD export | Multi-province | 25%+ |
| China Hemp Group | State-owned | ¥5B+ | National leader | Limited | National | Moderate |
| Yunnan Industrial | Medical/CBD | ¥1B+ | 10K+ ha | CBD export | Yunnan | 30%+ |
| Heilongjiang Tianfang | Fiber/textile | ¥2B+ | Large-scale | Textiles | Heilongjiang | Moderate |
| Shanxi Gangmao | Hempcrete | ¥1.5B+ | Growing | Limited | Shanxi | 20%+ |
| Anhui Golden Field | Seeds/food | ¥1B+ | Seed breeding | Food export | Anhui | 15%+ |
| Bamafa | CBD extraction | ¥2B+ | GMP facility | Global CBD | Multi-province | 25%+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hemp legal in China?
Industrial hemp (with THC content below 0.3%) is legal to cultivate and process in China. Yunnan Province was the first to legalize industrial hemp cultivation in 2003, followed by Heilongjiang in 2017, Jilin in 2019, and several other provinces. Yunnan uniquely permits medical and research cannabis cultivation under strict government oversight. CBD extraction and processing for export is permitted. Recreational cannabis remains strictly illegal with severe criminal penalties. China's regulatory approach prioritizes industrial and medical applications while maintaining strict control over psychoactive cannabis.
How much hemp does China produce?
China produces approximately 300,000 tons of raw hemp fiber and 150,000 tons of hemp seeds annually from over 100,000 hectares of cultivated land. China accounts for approximately 50% of global hemp fiber production and 40% of global hemp seed production. Heilongjiang Province is the largest hemp-growing region, followed by Yunnan, Anhui, and Inner Mongolia. China's hemp textile production alone exceeds 100,000 tons per year, making China the world's largest hemp textile manufacturer.
What is hempcrete and is it used in China?
Hempcrete (hemp-lime composite) is a bio-based building material made from hemp hurd (the woody core of hemp stalks), lime binder, and water. It offers excellent thermal insulation (R-value approximately 2.5 per inch), moisture regulation, fire resistance, and carbon sequestration. In China, hempcrete is being used in eco-friendly construction projects particularly in Shanxi and Yunnan provinces. Companies like Shanxi Gangmao produce hempcrete blocks, insulation panels, and pre-fabricated hempcrete wall systems. China's hempcrete market is growing at 20%+ annually, driven by green building policies and carbon reduction targets.
Does China export CBD?
China is one of the world's largest CBD exporters, supplying CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and hemp-derived products to international markets. Major export destinations include the United States, European Union, and Southeast Asia. Chinese CBD companies like Hempsmile and Bamafa operate GMP-certified extraction facilities using supercritical CO2 technology. China's CBD export market was estimated at $500M+ in 2024, though export regulations have tightened in recent years requiring additional licensing for CBD product shipments. China's low production costs give it competitive advantages in global CBD wholesale markets.
What hemp products does China export?
China exports a wide range of hemp products including: (1) Hemp fiber and textiles — raw hemp fiber, hemp yarn, hemp fabric, hemp clothing (China produces 50%+ of global hemp textiles); (2) CBD products — CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD oil, hemp extracts for pharmaceutical and wellness applications; (3) Hemp seeds and seed oil — food-grade hemp seeds and cold-pressed hemp seed oil for nutritional supplements; (4) Hemp building materials — hempcrete blocks, hemp insulation panels; (5) Hemp paper — specialty paper products. Major export destinations include the EU, United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia. China's competitive advantage lies in low production costs and large-scale manufacturing capabilities.