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Australia's Cannabis Export Market: Facts to Know
Australia's cannabis export market been developing since the legalisation of medical marijuana. Here's what to know about the landscape.
The legalisation of medicinal cannabis in Australia, along with the decriminalisation of cannabis in the Australian Capital Territory, is creating opportunities for the export market.
But what types of cannabis products are being exported from Australia and where are they going?
Read on for a look at Australia's cannabis export market, including how it started up, where the country sends its cannabis products and what could be next as the nation's marijuana space develops.
When did Australia legalise cannabis exports?
Australia legalised the export of medicinal cannabis products in February 2018, about two years after cannabis was legalised in the country for medicinal and research purposes.
However, while medicinal cannabis products can now be exported from Australia, the cannabis plant — the flowers and leaves, as well as cannabis resin — previously were not able to exported.
The products originally approved for exporting are cannabis oils, sprays, patches, lozenges and tablets to assist with alleviating pain. In 2020, an amendment to the bill opened the door to the export of cannabis plant products.
All exports must conform with the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967; among other requirements, companies must have both a licence and permit to export from the Office of Drug Control and must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
Furthermore, exports are only allowed when sending the material out of the country would not be detrimental to Australia. That means companies wanting to export must be able to supply local residents first.
What are Australia's top cannabis export markets?
Cannabis exports from Australia have been legal for around three years now. So, where have companies in the country been sending shipments of the drug? A couple standout markets are:
- Germany — The nation is one of the largest cannabis markets in Europe, and relies heavily on imports to satiate growing demand. It receives products from companies such as Little Green Pharma (ASX:LGP), which in 2019 was the first Australian producer to successfully export medicinal cannabis to Germany. In 2021, Australia was Germany’s fifth largest source of cannabis imports.
- UK — Little Green Pharma also began exporting medicinal cannabis oil to the UK in 2020. The company said at the time that it was the first Australian company to do so. Distribution is through the UK's Astral Health. In 2022, ECS Botanics (ASX:ECS) accomplished another first by exporting its first shipment of dried cannabis flower to the UK.
Recent developments in Australian cannabis exports
Looking at Australia's more recent cannabis export activities, privately owned Australian Natural Therapies Group sent its first batch of medicinal cannabis to Germany in January of 2021.
The shipment was part of a AU$92 million export agreement that Australian Minister for Health Greg Hunt said has the potential to boost economic growth in Australia.
"Australia's gold-standard regulation of medicinal cannabis products, coupled with a premium agricultural and manufacturing industry, means we are well positioned to become a preferred supplier," he noted.
The German cannabis market is reportedly the third largest in the world. Another aforementioned Australian company, Little Green Pharma, struck a deal to supply German-based Cannamedical Pharma with an approximate AU$4.5 million worth of medical cannabis over the next two years. This marks the fourth contract the company has entered with German cannabis distributors and wholesalers, the other three being Four20 Pharma, Ilios Sante and Demecan.
What is the future of cannabis exports in Australia?
Since cannabis exports were first legalised, Australia has made an effort to keep moving forward.
In December 2019, the federal government granted major project status for the development of new medicinal cannabis facilities in Queensland and Victoria. Karen Andrews, then-minister of industry, science and technology, said at the time that the market's size could reach AU$1.2 billion industry over the next decade.
"Australia's trusted reputation for medical products combined with our top quality agriculture sector will propel this new domestic industry into the global market," she said. "By acting now and fast-tracking medicinal cannabis facilities, we have an opportunity to create an entirely new industry with tremendous export potential."
Globally, the cannabis market is predicted to expand greatly in the coming years, reaching an estimated US$128.92 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate of 26.19 percent.
Looking at Australia specifically, a study from Grand View Research found that Australia’s legal cannabis market was valued at US$51.8 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 30.1 percent from 2022 to 2030.
While expectations vary in terms of predicted growth, it’s clear that the market offers opportunities for investors. There are 44 companies with Australian manufacturing licenses for medicinal cannabis, according to the Office of Drug Control.
With government support and companies continuing to develop their overseas strategies, Australia's cannabis export market will be one to watch in the future.
This is an updated version of an article first published by the Investing News Network in 2021.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Matthew Flood, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Matthew Flood is a writer and editor from Montreal, Canada. He's been writing professionally for four years on a wide array of topics ranging from investments and real estate to cookware and home improvement. Matt also enjoys creative writing and has written two novels and a novella.
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