Why Supporting Hemp Matters – Even If It’s Made in China
At Made In Hemp, we’re often asked why some hemp products — especially textiles like clothing and accessories — are made in China rather than Australia. It’s a fair question, and one that deserves a thoughtful, honest response.
The reality is this: Australia simply does not have a functioning textile manufacturing industry anymore. The last major player, Bonds, moved offshore about 15 years ago. That wasn’t because Australian people didn’t want to buy locally made — it was because of government inaction, deregulation, and the economic pressures of globalisation.
So while it might be tempting to lump the hemp industry in with frustrations about Australian manufacturing, doing so is misguided and harmful. Here’s why.
1. The hemp industry is still rebuilding
Hemp in Australia is a young, regrowth industry. After decades of criminalisation and demonisation, we’re only just beginning to scratch the surface of what hemp can offer. Expecting hemp clothing to be grown, spun, woven, and manufactured locally right now is simply unrealistic.
Our focus must be on supporting the industry to thrive — encouraging farmers, small brands, and innovators to get hemp onto shelves and into wardrobes. Blocking progress because of offshore production risks holding the industry back before it’s had the chance to stand tall again.
2. Credit where credit’s due: China never stopped
Unlike Australia, China never stopped growing hemp. For hundreds — arguably thousands — of years, China has cultivated and used hemp for textiles, rope, paper, and more.
That continuity matters. It means China has the infrastructure, knowledge, and scale to grow and process hemp efficiently, while much of the Western world is still playing catch-up. Without that foundation, we wouldn’t even have access to affordable hemp fabrics today.
When we stock hemp textiles made in China, we’re not supporting “fast fashion” — we’re honouring a global tradition of hemp cultivation that has survived despite prohibition elsewhere.
3. Hemp vs. cotton vs. polyester
Let’s also keep perspective. Even when hemp is grown in China:
- It uses significantly less water than cotton.
- It grows quickly, with little to no need for pesticides.
- It produces a strong, durable fibre that’s biodegradable, unlike polyester.
So if the choice is between Chinese-grown hemp, Australian cotton, or petroleum-based polyester, hemp remains the far more sustainable option every single time.
4. If you want Australian textiles, take the fight higher
We absolutely support the idea of reviving a local textile industry in Australia. But here’s the truth: that’s not something the hemp industry alone can solve. It requires government policy, regulation, and investment to rebuild the infrastructure that was lost when companies like Bonds went offshore.
So if you’re passionate about seeing Australian-grown and made hemp clothing, we encourage you to raise your voice — with local representatives, in community discussions, and in consumer advocacy. Take the fight up with the people who have the power to make systemic change, not with the industry that’s already doing the hard work of re-establishing hemp’s reputation.
The bigger picture
Supporting hemp — no matter where it’s grown — means supporting:
- A sustainable alternative to cotton and polyester.
- A crop that regenerates soil and supports biodiversity.
- An industry with the potential to reshape fashion, farming, and the environment for the better.
So next time you see a “Made in China” label on a hemp garment, pause before dismissing it. Remember that without China’s centuries-long hemp tradition, we might not even have hemp clothing available today.