Omega-rich hemp oils capsules are among the most sought-after products now being manufactured by South Australia’s only major hemp processor, Good Country Hemp in Bordertown.

Hemp oil and seeds have been recognised as particularly helpful with arthritis and joint issues, business owner Mick Andersen said, providing health benefits similar to fish oil.

Andersen said the business that was started in mid-2018 now had its capsules stocked in pharmacies “and also in places like truck stops” where they are sought after by drivers feeling sore after long hours driving.

Hemp is now being grown successfully across the state, 25 hemp cultivation and two processing licences have been issued after the first was granted by the Primary Industries and Resources Department in 2018.

Andersen said sales were growing as products were refined around health benefits and they won more recognition from consumers, with new products regularly coming on line.

Andersen, who is a member of the Australian Hemp Council board, said his business sold hemp protein powder, omega-rich hulled hemp seed and hemp oil capsules along with cold pressed hemp oil that is proving popular for salad dressings, via online sales and retail outlets.

Andersen started the business with his wife Linda and it last year won the SA Premier’s Food and Beverage Industry Award’s emerging business category.

As work has continued to best utilise the hemp, the Andersens have also created a pet food range for dogs, horses and chickens using by-products from their processing facility.

Hemp supplements for horses, dog treats and pure rolled hemp seed for chickens are among new products being stocked in fodder stores, pet food shops and supermarkets.

“Our market is definitely growing over time,” Andersen said.

“Four years ago, I didn’t know a single thing about hemp, we worked it out over time and now it’s our full-time job and our engineering business has wound down.”

Nationally, the hemp industry council is working to drive policies increasing productivity specifically focusing on increasing capacity to compete at a global level to ensure long term sustainability of a profitable industry.

In SA, four rounds of industrial growing trials designed to pinpoint the best choice of varieties for crops have been overseen by the Primary Industries and Regions department.

Research into the use and attitudes toward hemp products was also explored by The Centre for Global Food and Resources at Adelaide University a few years ago.

It showed the industry was battling consumers’ poor understanding of the industry and that few had purchased hemp products.

Hemp industry council president Tim Schmidt has been visiting states around the country to explore future opportunities, with the group’s latest newsletter saying one currently being explored is establishing a fibre processing facility in South Australia.

“By utilising the stubble from a grain crop the aim is to improve returns to growers as well as supply products to an emerging fibre and hurd (part of the hemp stem) market,” its most recent newsletter said.