By Max Sargent

An analysis of CBD market growth.


In 2018, the global CBD market had an estimated value of 4.6 billion USD[1]. In 2020, that figure is expected to double. This phenomenal upward trend has shown businesses, recreational customers, and holistic users alike that CBD is more than just a fad. In turn, big-name brands and small-scale ventures have thrown more time, energy, and thought into their CBD ranges.

As it stands today, 33% of Americans have used CBD[2], with Europe and the UK not far behind[3]. The rapid growth of the CBD market shows no signs of stopping; on the contrary, it's never been bigger.

In 2019, people Googled CBD more than Beyoncé or Kim Kardashian[4]. But why, exactly, is it so popular?

In Europe, industrial hemp is largely legal—as long as it contains negligible levels of THC—giving CBD startups widespread access to raw plant material.

As far as American access to the cannabinoid, we have the Farm Bill to thank for this. The bill—passed in 2018—legalized industrial hemp in all 50 states.

Thanks to that legislation, we saw a vast increase of available, legal CBD products, all of which are massively in demand. Big-name retailers—such as Walgreens in the US or Holland & Barrett in the UK—quickly jumped on the bandwagon and now produce their own CBD products.

From a consumer standpoint, CBD ticks a lot of boxes. In addition to greater availability than ever before, CBD was deemed well-tolerated and with no potential for abuse by the World Health Organisation[5]. This allows consumers to enjoy the soothing non-psychotropic cannabinoid with peace of mind, whenever they see fit.

Furthermore, the vast array of CBD products on the market means there’s something for everyone—from CBD oil to topical products and CBD-rich cannabis flower.

Why Is CBD So Popular?

Who’s Using CBD Products?

In recent years, more people of all ages have been using CBD products.

Millennials and other young adults are the most vocal about using CBD. However, we’re really only able to measure discussion on social media. Plenty of people in their 40s, 50s, and beyond use CBD, too! However, they’re less likely to hit Twitter with their thoughts, so we can’t be sure just how many are trying it out.

The wider the products and information spread, though, the more we'll see people of all ages becoming vocal users. Even household pets can benefit from CBD, making pet-specific ranges all the more popular.

Where Do You Buy CBD Products?

Before the Farm Bill, most people made CBD purchases online. These days, however, they can be found in nearly any grocery or convenience shop you visit on a regular basis.

With mass retailers accounting for[6] 57% in sales compared to 22% online, it's easier than ever to get your hands on CBD products.

You can also buy them at natural food shops, dispensaries, smoke shops, and even pet shops (for your dogs and cats, of course). Perhaps the most reliable vendors are those with proven experience in the CBD industry, and/or those that conduct thorough quality control measures from seed to bottle.

The Best-Selling CBD Products

As technology has developed, we can now enjoy CBD in many ways outside of the hemp buds it's sourced from. Whether you're interested in CBD oils, tinctures, or edibles, there are hundreds of products on the market to choose from. You can even buy CBD-infused juices, sodas, and beer!

Let’s take a brief look at each of the major categories.

  • Sublingual

Sublingual CBD products include concentrates, tinctures, and sprays. Administered under the tongue, they have higher bioavailability than if you simply ingested them, meaning the body absorbs more of the CBD into the bloodstream.

This was once the main way people took CBD. It’s still a popular method now, sure, but an increasingly diverse range of products has led to split attention between them all. Still, there are plenty of excellent sublingual products on the market.

Sublingual
  • Oral Ingestion

Quickly becoming the most common consumption method, you can find myriad capsules and edibles that allow you to orally ingest CBD. While capsules sometimes include compounds to make the CBD more bioavailable, edibles achieve this goal naturally.

See, when a cannabinoid like CBD enters our digestive system with fat molecules, it binds to them and is more fully absorbed by the body. As a result, a dose taken in edible form would be more effective than orally ingesting the same dose "plain".

Edibles don’t offer the highest bioavailability, but they’re still effective and long-lasting in their impact. Plus, the fact that there’s such a wide, delicious, and convenient array available has made them an easy sell.

Heck, even Willie Nelson[7] has a line of CBD-infused coffee beans!

Oral Ingestion

  • Inhalation

Like THC, CBD can also be vaped, smoked, or dabbed. Smoking and dabbing are classic ways to use cannabis products, so you’ll always find hemp-sourced flower and wax.

Since vaping has gained lots of traction, too, you’ll find a growing number of CBD-specific vape products on shelves as well. Along with offering high bioavailability, effectiveness, and quick onset, you’ll likely have room for a vape in your pocket or bag.

That said, inhalation carries the same risks as regular vaping and smoking. As such, more people are looking to other methods.

Inhalation
  • Topical

Topical products include everything from balms, patches, and lotions to cosmetics and creams. These are generally designed to soothe surface issues like red and sensitive skin.

The CBD can’t enter our bloodstream, but it can have a localised effect on the area it’s applied upon.

As a result of the wide range of potential applications, we’ll likely see more of these products in the coming years.

Topicals

What Is the CBD Market Worth?

Given the fast-placed, global nature of the industry, it's hard to measure exactly how much the CBD market is worth at a given moment. That said, Grandview Research predicts the CBD consumer health market to be worth 9.42 billion USD[8] in 2020. We can look to smaller, niche CBD markets or certain countries for harder figures, but even those are dynamic and hard to pin down.

Using the UK as an example, spending on CBD surged in the first half of 2020, leading experts to project a revenue of £450m pounds[9] for the entire year—a 50% uptick from 2019. Believed to be catalysed by COVID-19, it goes to show how quickly spending projections can change.

Even with this massive rise, Germany is believed to surpass the UK in CBD sales by 2023[10]. Other European countries have joined the CBD bandwagon with enthusiasm, such as Switzerland, and are expected to see impressive growth of their own.

In the US, an already well-established CBD industry grew 14%[11] from 2019 to 2020, with steady, but not massive, growth expected in the near future.

What Is the CBD Market Worth?

Big Contributions to the Market

Because CBD is incredibly versatile, we're seeing companies begin to infuse it into all sorts of regular, everyday products. It’s included in everything from coffee to sparkling water, face scrubs, and sunscreens; the more time goes on, the more mainstream it's going to get.

One of the industries benefitting the most from the CBD craze is skin care and cosmetics. We're already seeing items like face masks, bath bombs, lotions, and serums infused with CBD, and that's just scratching the surface. Beauty products are extremely versatile, with lots of room for innovation—so you can bet you'll see products brandished with hemp leaves popping up in numbers.

Between enhancing beauty and adding some quirkiness to everyday items, adding CBD to all manner of products has clearly become the next big marketing trend. That said, the novelty of certain items is expected to wane over time, and, indeed, consumers are becoming more frugal about their spending in general.

Expected CBD Market Growth for the Next Five Years

All things considered, the only way the CBD market seems to be moving is up. Investment bank Cowen & Co. predict the CBD market will hit $16 billion by 2025[12]. Furthermore, the market for CBD-infused beverages expects to see a 63% rate of return between now and 2023, according to Brightfield Group[13].

Although North America is the key player, the next few years should see significant growth in Europe and South America—especially in regions with progressive cannabis and hemp laws. Overall, the CBD market's future is bright and exciting; with more research coming to light each day, who knows what tomorrow will bring?

External Resources:
  1. Cannabidiol Market Size | CBD Industry Growth Report, 2019-2025 https://www.grandviewresearch.com
  2. The 2020 CBD survey https://www.singlecare.com
  3. CBD IN THE UK https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com
  4. Online Searches for CBD Officially Surpass Beyoncé and Kim Kardashian | Observer https://observer.com
  5. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Critical Review: CBD https://www.who.int
  6. CBD is on fire, says Brightfield, but market remains dogged by regulatory confusion and ‘unclear terminology surrounding hemp’ https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com
  7. Willie Nelson Has A New CBD Brand, And Its First Product Is Whole Bean Coffee https://www.forbes.com
  8. CBD Consumer Health Market Share & Trends Report, 2020-2027 https://www.grandviewresearch.com
  9. UK Demand For CBD Products Soars Amid Covid-19 Pandemic https://www.forbes.com
  10. Germany, Europe's Biggest Medical Cannabis Market, Expected to Top CBD Sales by 2023 - International Cannabis Business Conference | Vancouver - Berlin - SF - Bern - Barcelona https://internationalcbc.com
  11. 2020 US CBD Market Forecast Announcement https://www.brightfieldgroup.com
  12. CBD Market Could Pull In $16 Billion By 2025, Says Study https://www.forbes.com
  13. Buying CBD During a Pandemic: Q3 2020 Consumer and Channel Trends https://content.brightfieldgroup.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: