<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Canopy Growth made waves with the announcement in January that it’s building a large-scale hemp production facility in New York State. The company expects to have hemp cannabidiol (CBD) products on the market by the end of this year. Tilray jumped head first into the hemp market soon after Canopy’s announcement with its acquisition of Manitoba Harvest, the leading hemp foods company in North America.” data-reactid=”11″>Canopy Growth made waves with the announcement in January that it’s building a large-scale hemp production facility in New York State. The company expects to have hemp cannabidiol (CBD) products on the market by the end of this year. Tilray jumped head first into the hemp market soon after Canopy’s announcement with its acquisition of Manitoba Harvest, the leading hemp foods company in North America.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="But what about Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB)? You might not have heard very much about the company’s hemp CBD efforts lately. However, there’s a pretty good argument to be made that Aurora just might emerge as the king of hemp CBD. ” data-reactid=”12″>But what about Aurora Cannabis (NYSE: ACB)? You might not have heard very much about the company’s hemp CBD efforts lately. However, there’s a pretty good argument to be made that Aurora just might emerge as the king of hemp CBD.
Image source: Getty Images.
Aurora’s impressive hemp creds
If you’re looking for impressive credentials in hemp, Aurora’s got ’em. Back in 2017, the company invested in Hempco, a Vancouver-based maker of hemp-based foods, hemp fiber, and hemp nutraceuticals. Hempco also supplied Aurora with raw hemp for extracting CBD.
This relationship gave Aurora a chance to get to know Hempco very well. And it led to Aurora announcing three months ago that it was acquiring all of Hempco. With Hempco expanding its capacity to be able to produce 2.9 million kilograms of cannabis annually, the deal gives Aurora a solid launching pad for the North American hemp CBD and industrial hemp markets.
Aurora took several major steps to build up its global hemp business in 2018. The company acquired Agropro, Europe’s largest producer, processor, and supplier of certified organic hemp and hemp products. At the same time, Aurora acquired Agropro’s sister company Borela, which processes and distributes organic hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein, hemp flour, and hemp seed oil.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="In addition, Aurora acquired ICC Labs in 2018. ICC claims a market share of greater than 70% in Uruguay’s legal cannabis market. It’s also a leader in the South American hemp CBD market, with a large-scale extraction facility that can process 150,000 kg of CBD feed annually.” data-reactid=”29″>In addition, Aurora acquired ICC Labs in 2018. ICC claims a market share of greater than 70% in Uruguay’s legal cannabis market. It’s also a leader in the South American hemp CBD market, with a large-scale extraction facility that can process 150,000 kg of CBD feed annually.
Speaking of extraction capabilities, Aurora also invested in Radient Technologies three years ago. Radient’s proprietary extraction technology can be used with high-THC cannabis as well as low-THC hemp plants.
What about the U.S.?
While Aurora has built up an impressive hemp presence in Canada, Europe, and South America, the company hasn’t made any major moves into the biggest hemp CBD market of all: the U.S. This appears to be a huge missing piece for Aurora.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Granted, Aurora's spin-off Australis Capital has actively invested in the U.S. Australis’ deals include investing in Folium Biosciences, the largest vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, and distributor of hemp-derived phytocannabinoids in the U.S. But Australis Capital is a stand-alone entity.” data-reactid=”33″>Granted, Aurora’s spin-off Australis Capital has actively invested in the U.S. Australis’ deals include investing in Folium Biosciences, the largest vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, and distributor of hemp-derived phytocannabinoids in the U.S. But Australis Capital is a stand-alone entity.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Aurora’s management team has been very vague about the company’s strategy for the U.S. hemp CBD market. In Aurora’s latest quarterly conference call, CEO Terry Booth stated, "We have a strategy of entering into the US." But he added, "That strategy is obviously confidential."” data-reactid=”34″>Aurora’s management team has been very vague about the company’s strategy for the U.S. hemp CBD market. In Aurora’s latest quarterly conference call, CEO Terry Booth stated, “We have a strategy of entering into the US.” But he added, “That strategy is obviously confidential.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley noted, though, that Aurora is exploring opportunities in the global hemp market with advisor Nelson Peltz, a billionaire investor with strong connections in the consumer packaged goods industry. Battley said that industrial hemp and CBD is an "important area of attention." He didn’t provide any details on Aurora’s next steps and instead only stated, "We are assessing where in the value chain we’ll be able to generate the most value."” data-reactid=”35″>Chief Corporate Officer Cam Battley noted, though, that Aurora is exploring opportunities in the global hemp market with advisor Nelson Peltz, a billionaire investor with strong connections in the consumer packaged goods industry. Battley said that industrial hemp and CBD is an “important area of attention.” He didn’t provide any details on Aurora’s next steps and instead only stated, “We are assessing where in the value chain we’ll be able to generate the most value.”
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Cannabis market researcher Brightfield Group projects that the U.S. hemp CBD market could reach $22 billion by 2022 with a European CBD market of $1.7 billion by 2023. Some industry experts aren’t as optimistic as Brightfield Group, but most agree that the hemp CBD market will increase dramatically over the next few years.” data-reactid=”41″>Cannabis market researcher Brightfield Group projects that the U.S. hemp CBD market could reach $22 billion by 2022 with a European CBD market of $1.7 billion by 2023. Some industry experts aren’t as optimistic as Brightfield Group, but most agree that the hemp CBD market will increase dramatically over the next few years.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="I suspect that we'll see a race to dominate the global hemp CBD market that's kind of like the battle for the Iron Throne in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. Multiple players, both large and small, will compete in this race.” data-reactid=”42″>I suspect that we’ll see a race to dominate the global hemp CBD market that’s kind of like the battle for the Iron Throne in the HBO TV series Game of Thrones. Multiple players, both large and small, will compete in this race.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="It's possible that Aurora's calculated bet to take a cautious approach with entering the U.S. market could turn out to be a bad move in retrospect. However, despite its lack of a U.S. presence so far, Aurora should be viewed as a legitimate contender to wear the crown as king of hemp CBD. Of course, the hemp CBD market could also be ultimately won by a company that isn't on anyone's radar right now — just like the ending of Game of Thrones.” data-reactid=”43″>It’s possible that Aurora’s calculated bet to take a cautious approach with entering the U.S. market could turn out to be a bad move in retrospect. However, despite its lack of a U.S. presence so far, Aurora should be viewed as a legitimate contender to wear the crown as king of hemp CBD. Of course, the hemp CBD market could also be ultimately won by a company that isn’t on anyone’s radar right now — just like the ending of Game of Thrones.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content=" More From The Motley Fool ” data-reactid=”44″> More From The Motley Fool
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Keith Speights has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.” data-reactid=”49″>Keith Speights has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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