INTERVIEW: Patrick Atagi is President & CEO of the Washington, DC-based National Industrial Hemp Council of America (NIHC), which advocates on behalf of the U.S. hemp industry. With extensive experience in agriculture and trade policy, Atagi has held leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. Under his guidance, NIHC has advanced initiatives to promote industrial hemp domestically and internationally, focusing on regulatory reform, market development, and quality assurance programs. NIHC is a recognized contractor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
HT: Given that many hemp products are still in early development stages, what specific export opportunities are you prioritizing, and how do you assess their market readiness?
Patrick Atagi: We’re focused on fiber and grain-based hemp products because they offer scalable, non-controversial pathways into international markets. Textiles, bio-construction materials like hempcrete, and hemp seed oil are all seeing increased global interest, especially in countries prioritizing sustainability. These products are well-aligned with existing industrial supply chains and are subject to fewer regulatory hurdles than cannabinoids. Our assessments include technical readiness, regulatory compatibility, and demand trends—countries like Peru, Japan, and the EU are showing strong early traction.
HT: What progress has been made towards aligning standards across countries, and how does this impact U.S. hemp producers?
PA: There’s growing momentum for harmonizing THC limits, testing protocols, and labeling standards, particularly among U.S. trade partners in Latin America and Asia. While we’re not fully aligned yet, technical exchanges—like those NIHC has helped facilitate with Peru and Japan—are critical steps forward. For U.S. producers, alignment means lower barriers to entry, fewer product rejections at ports, and more confidence in long-term investment. It’s also a foundation for mutual recognition agreements that can simplify trade over time.
HT: What criteria guide the selection of NIHC’s international market development initiatives? Where do you see the most promising initial markets for trade in hemp products?
PA: We look at several factors: existing free trade agreements, regulatory openness to industrial hemp, market demand for sustainable products, and potential for regulatory alignment. We’re prioritizing markets that already have or are developing a legal framework for hemp—Peru, South Korea, and parts of the EU are strong candidates. Latin America in particular offers growth potential because of its expanding domestic hemp production and interest in North American processing expertise and technology.
Meet Patrick Agagi at next month’s NIHC Global Industrial Hemp Fiber Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Register now!
HT: NIHC’s “Fit for Purpose” policy proposal has been introduced to shape hemp regulation in the upcoming Farm Bill. What are the key components of this proposal?
PA: Fit for Purpose is about creating a rational, product-driven framework that distinguishes hemp grown for grain, fiber, or cannabinoids. It calls for flexible THC thresholds tailored to each use case, rather than a one-size-fits-all limit. It also proposes streamlined compliance for low-risk crops, stronger support for domestic processing infrastructure, and clarity around testing and sampling. The ultimate goal is a system that supports farmers, protects consumers, and encourages industrial investment.
HT: Some in the fiber and grain sectors worry that regulatory backlash against intoxicating cannabinoids could hurt their operations. What do you think?
PA: That’s a valid concern, and it’s why NIHC advocates for a clear separation between industrial and intoxicating uses. Fiber and grain producers should not be subject to the same scrutiny or restrictions as those producing high-resin cannabinoid crops. Our Fit for Purpose framework addresses this directly by establishing tailored compliance pathways based on end use. It’s critical that the regulatory system reflects the diversity of the hemp industry—not punish one sector for the challenges of another.
HT: The whole concept of international trade seems to be in limbo right now. What comfort can you give hemp producers who want to access global markets?
PA: Trade is evolving, not disappearing. Governments are still seeking high-quality, sustainable agricultural inputs—and hemp meets that need. NIHC is working closely with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service to open doors in emerging markets. Our recent missions to Japan, Kenya, and now Peru show that there is interest and appetite for U.S.-grown hemp. We’re making the case for hemp as a competitive export and helping producers navigate the complex but rewarding path of global trade.