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New Zealand grown edible hemp seed oil will be available for the first time soon following the successful harvest of a trial crop of hemp in Canterbury.
Ashburton companies Midlands Seed and Oil Seed Extractions - OSEL - have 8 - 10 tonnes of hemp seed to turn into oil by cold pressing.
OSEL director Bruce Hill says hemp seed oil is high in essential fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 as well as Gamma Linolenic Acid - which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Hill expects about a tonne of high quality oil will be extracted from the harvested seeds and will be available within the next few weeks. And he says although the processing of hemp fibre has been considered a stumbling block to the viability of growing the crop, because its so tough - there is reason hope that the entire plant can be used.
Hill - who grew hemp in Britain before moving here - says whether it will become part of the New Zealand's cropping mix will come down to whether it stacks up financially.
Source: RNZ
