By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Industrial hemp production is on the rise in Texas and across the country, according to the National Hemp Report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The 2024 report, released in April, shows the total value of U.S. hemp production—both in the open and under protection—at $445 million, a 40% increase from 2023.

The Lone Star State also saw significant growth. In 2024, growers planted 4,900 acres and harvested 1,500 acres. That’s a sharp increase from the 250 acres planted and 110 acres harvested in 2023.

“Since the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for legal cultivation, we’ve seen steady growth in Texas hemp production,” Brant Wilbourn, Texas Farm Bureau associate director of Commodity and Regulatory Activities, said. “Hemp offers Texas growers another crop option as they navigate changing markets and production challenges.”

The 2024 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey collected information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production and value of hemp in the United States.

Nationally, 45,294 acres were planted for industrial hemp in the open, up 64% from 2023. Total production value was up 46% to $417 million.

U.S. floral hemp production grown in the open was estimated at 20.8 million pounds, up 159% from 2023. Floral hemp harvested was up 60%, estimated at 11,827 acres with an average yield of 1,757 pounds per acre.  The value of floral hemp grown in the open was $386 million.

Grain hemp in the open also saw an increase, up 10% to 3.41 million pounds in 2024. Of that, 4,863 acres were harvested. The report shows the average yield was down 77 pounds from 2023 at 702 pounds per acre. The value of hemp grown in the open for grain increased to $2.62 million.

Production of hemp grown in the open for fiber was up 23%, estimated at 60.4 million pounds. Harvested acres were estimated at 18,855 acres, up 56%, with an average yield of 3,205 pounds per acre. The value of hemp grown in the open for fiber, however, dipped slightly to $11.2 million.

Production of hemp for transplants and clones totaled 356,000 plants. The value of hemp grown under protection for transplants and clones totaled $28.7 million, down 13%.

Hemp grown for seed totaled 697,000 pounds. Acreage for hemp grown for seed increased by 61% to 2,160 acres, and the value of hemp grown for seed totaled $16.9 million.

View the full report.