The AGricultural Hemp Landscape: A Closer Look at the USDA 2025 Report

The agricultural hemp industry in the United States continues to evolve, with the latest National Hemp Report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) highlighting a landmark year for the 2025 crop. While the overall industry value climbed to $739 million, the real story lies in the shifting dynamics of field-grown crops—specifically the rapid rise of grain production and the expanding footprint of hemp in states like Kansas.  

Here is a breakdown of the 2025 trends for grain and fiber grown in the open, with a spotlight on the Sunflower State.

Grain Production: The 2025 Growth Leader

While floral hemp often dominates the headlines, grain hemp saw the most explosive percentage gains this year. National production in the open reached 7.26 million pounds, a staggering 112% increase from 2024.  

• Acreage Expansion: Harvested area for grain in the open grew to 7,515 acres, up 55% from the previous season.  

  
  

• Yield Improvements: Farmers became significantly more efficient, with average yields hitting 966 pounds per acre—an increase of 264 pounds over 2024.  

  
  

• Economic Impact: The total value of utilized grain production skyrocketed 209% to reach $8.09 million.  

  
  

Fiber Production: High Volume, Shifting Value

Fiber hemp remains the largest sector by volume for open-field production, though its economic performance was more tempered than grain.

• Production Volume: National fiber production rose to 67.3 million pounds, an 11% increase from 2024.  

  
  

• Harvested Area: The area harvested for fiber reached 21,693 acres, a 14% jump from last year.  

  
  

• Yield Trends: Average fiber yields saw a slight dip, falling to 3,104 pounds per acre (down 83 pounds from 2024).  

  
  

Spotlight: Kansas Hemp on the Move

Kansas has rapidly established itself as a significant player in the industrial hemp market. The state has seen consistent growth in its open-field operations over the last three years.  

• Acreage Triple-Jump: In 2023, Kansas planted 1,090 acres of hemp. By 2025, that number soared to 3,200 planted acres.  

  
  

• Harvest Success: The state’s ability to bring crops to market has improved dramatically. Kansas farmers successfully harvested 2,950 acres in 2025.  That's more than 92% of all the acres planted.

  
  

• Growth Rate: Between 2024 and 2025 alone, Kansas more than tripled its harvested acreage, growing from 900 to 2,950 acres.  A large majority of these acres produce hemp fiber for the states three processors. Kansas is also the only state with three agricultural hemp processors contracting for fiber and grain production.

The 2025 USDA National Hemp Report highlights a pivotal year for the industry, characterized by significant shifts in how and where hemp is grown in the United States.

Conclusion: A Maturing Industry

The data from 2025 reveals an industry in transition, moving toward more specialized utilizations and increased regional concentration. While the total value of all hemp production reached a record $739 million—a 64% increase from the previous year—the growth was not uniform across all sectors.  

Key takeaways from the 2025 season include:

• The Rise of Grain and Seed: The massive triple-digit value increases in grain (209%) and seed (193%) indicate that farmers are finding viable markets beyond traditional floral hemp.  

  
  

• Kansas as a Regional Hub: Kansas has solidified its position as a major producer, quadrupling its harvested acreage since 2023. This rapid expansion suggests that the state’s agricultural climate and infrastructure are increasingly well-suited for industrial-scale hemp operations.  

  
  

• Production Efficiency: Across several sectors, such as grain and floral hemp, average yields per acre improved significantly, signaling that American growers are becoming more adept at managing and harvesting this versatile crop.  

  
  

As the industry moves forward, the continued expansion of grain and fiber production—led by states like Kansas—will be critical in determining the long-term economic stability and industrial integration of hemp in the American agricultural landscape.  

Read the full USDA report linked here.

Summary: 2025 National Figures (Grown in the Open)

Utilization	Harvested Acres	Total Production	Total Value
Fiber	21,693	67.3 Million Lbs	$13.5 Million
Grain	7,515	7.26 Million Lbs	$8.09 Million
Seed	3,537	2.03 Million Lbs	$49.7 Million