A brand new hemp selection authorised within the EU might finally problem Europe’s main legacy fiber cultivars. Carmanecta, developed by the Dutch-Italian genetics specialist Enecta, outpaced a number of main European varieties in top and yield, in line with trials which might be a part of the EU plant approval course of.
Carmanecta was authorised for inclusion within the Dutch nationwide catalog this week, triggering an inventory on the EU stage, and clearing the way in which for the seed to be marketed for cultivation throughout the bloc.
Jacopo Paolini, Enecta’s founder, stated Carmanecta planting seeds be accessible in two years, for the 2028 rising season.
Spectacular efficiency
Within the trials, Carmanecta posted an estimated dry biomass yield of about 16.9 tons per hectare, barely forward of a trio of French varieties and one Ukrainian selection in opposition to which it was in contrast.
Carmanecta might additionally outpace historic Italian fiber varieties, together with Carmagnola, lengthy thought-about Italy’s flagship fiber hemp cultivar.
Business relevance
The efficiency indicators come from a Dutch VCU (Worth for Cultivation and Use) trial, a part of the official European system used to guage new hemp varieties. VCU testing is usually required earlier than a cultivar might be authorised for a nationwide listing or the EU plant catalog. Within the Netherlands, registration and VCU oversight is thru the Dutch board for plant varieties (Raad voor Plantenrassen).
For fiber processors and growers, an inventory within the EU catalog determines which genetics might be scaled commercially and traded throughout borders, shaping the uncooked materials base for Europe’s growing hemp fiber economic system.
Shifting ahead
Carmanecta’s approval comes after Enecta suffered a crippling blow in 2025, when the Italian authorities shut down the corporate’s CBD e-commerce web site with out warning.
“It is a crucial milestone for us, particularly contemplating the whole lot that has occurred over the previous 12 months,” Paolini stated of the Carmanecta breakthrough.
“We’re nonetheless within the restoration part after the shutdown and the financial harm we suffered, and we will undoubtedly nonetheless really feel the impression,” he stated. “That stated, we’re doing our easiest to maneuver ahead step-by-step.”
STANDING TALL: Key indicators for a number of main European fiber hemp varieties in plant top and tons per hectare of dry mass yield. Industrial hemp yields range extensively relying on native elements resembling soil high quality, rainfall, temperature, and day-length circumstances, which differ considerably between northern Europe and extra southern manufacturing zones.
SOURCES: Raad voor Plantenrassen; CREA; Polish Hemp Program
