Moldova has officially entered the industrial hemp sector, issuing its first authorization for hemp cultivation under new regulations that open the door for fiber and seed production. The approval, granted by the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices through its Standing Committee on Drug Control, marks a significant step in the country’s agricultural policy.
The move follows recent government amendments to laws regulating plants containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, which now define industrial hemp separately from cannabis with high THC content. Under the new framework, farmers can grow hemp varieties listed in the Moldovan National Plant Variety Catalog, the EU’s Common Catalog of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species, or national catalogs of EU member states.
Economic potential, regulatory limits
Moldovan officials have framed the policy shift as a strategic opportunity to boost the economy, attract investment, and strengthen the country’s agricultural sector. “I urge the whole business community to take advantage of this opportunity because these materials are used in many industries, including the automotive sector,” Prime Minister Dorin Recean said late last year.
However, the new rules apply strictly to fiber and seed production, keeping hemp flowers and cannabinoids such as CBD under stringent controls. Moldovan drug laws continue to classify hemp flowers under the oversight of the Permanent Drug Control Committee, making CBD production a regulatory challenge. Industry stakeholders have called for further refinements to hemp policy, particularly in relation to flower-derived products.
While hemp’s potential in textiles, bioplastics, and construction materials is widely recognized, regulatory hurdles remain for farmers. Those looking to cultivate the crop must obtain permits, and their operations will be monitored under the new framework. The licensing process has been streamlined through an online platform to facilitate applications.
Boost for sustainable agriculture
Officials say hemp’s benefits extend beyond the economy. With a short 90-day growth cycle, the crop allows for multiple harvests per year while also capturing significant amounts of carbon dioxide, making it an environmentally friendly option. “Through the production and processing of industrial hemp, Moldova can develop a circular economy, helping to reduce waste and fully utilize the plant—for fiber, fuel, or building materials,” said Sergiu Gherciu, secretary general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.
Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest nations, relies heavily on agriculture, which contributes around 12% of GDP and employs approximately 27% of the workforce. The addition of hemp to the country’s crop portfolio could enhance economic resilience, increase farmers’ incomes, and create new job opportunities.
A revival of tradition
Moldova’s embrace of industrial hemp is also a return to its agricultural roots. Once part of Romania, a historical center of hemp cultivation, Moldova has a legacy of using the plant for textiles, nutrition, and medicine. Wild hemp remains part of the country’s spontaneous flora, a reminder of its long-standing connection to the crop.
As Moldova moves forward with its industrial hemp program, officials suggest additional regulatory updates may follow, potentially addressing CBD and other cannabinoid-derived products. For now, the country is taking its first steps toward integrating hemp into its agricultural economy, with fiber and seed production leading the way.
Moldovan officials have framed the policy shift as a strategic opportunity to boost the economy. Read More
