A slew of medical cannabis import and export data from many of the world’s top cannabis industry markets has been published in recent weeks, and it’s clear that global cannabis is starting to hit its stride. The import and export market landscape is also evolving.
Germany Sets a New Import Record
Germany continues to serve as the world’s top destination for medical cannabis exports from other countries. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) publishes quarterly medical cannabis import data and initially reported 50.539 tons for Q1 2026. However, BfArM recently updated the Q1 2026 import total to a significantly higher, record-setting 67.569 tons.
It is fairly common for Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices to update quarterly medical cannabis import totals, but it is typically done for previously reported quarters when data for a new quarter is published. The Q1 2026 total was updated even though the Q2 2026 total has yet to be published, and the increase of more than 33% is significantly greater than any other previous update. German authorities indicated that the updated data was the result of delayed reporting by the importing companies.
Canada and Portugal Hold the Top Spots
Canada remains the top source for medical cannabis product imports to Germany, with the North American country being responsible for 26.753 tonnes of the Q1 2026 import total. Additionally, Portugal continues to rank second behind Canada for medical cannabis imports to Germany, having exported 10.342 tonnes of products. According to data from Infarmed, a government agency accountable to Portugal’s Health Ministry, exports of medicinal cannabis from Portugal to all other countries have increased by 762% in the last three years.
A More Diverse Supply Chain Takes Shape
A deeper dive into Germany’s historical data demonstrates a recent shift in where imported medical cannabis comes from. In 2024, Canada accounted for over 45% of German import totals, and Portugal accounted for more than 23%. In the first quarter of 2026, Canada accounted for roughly 39%, and Portugal accounted for 15%. It is worth noting that not all medical cannabis exports from Portugal involve cannabis produced in Portugal. Portugal is a major European hub for medical cannabis processing, including EU-GMP-compliant post-harvest processing.
Germany’s data shifts highlight how much more diversified the global cannabis import and export sector is becoming. While Canada and Portugal have ceded market share in Germany, countries like Colombia and the Czech Republic have gained market share. In 2024, Colombia accounted for less than 1% of imports in Germany, but in the first quarter of 2026 accounted for nearly 2%. In 2024, Czechia accounted for 1.7% of imports, but in Q1 2026 increased to more than 3% of imports. While modest, the gains reflect a broader trend toward diversification.
Australia Breaks Its Own Record, With a Boost From Thailand
Australia is the second most popular target for medical cannabis exports from other legal markets. According to Australia’s Office of Drug Control, Australia’s legal medical cannabis industry set a record in 2025 for imports at 81.1 tons. By comparison, Australia imported 77.4 tons in 2024, and 44.6 tons in 2023.
The most noticeable shift in Australia’s historical data can be found in medical cannabis import totals from Canada. In 2023, Canadian sources accounted for more than 80% of the medical cannabis imported in Australia. That percentage share was largely unchanged in 2024. However, in 2025, Canadian sources accounted for roughly 60% of imports. The shift was largely due to Australia importing more medical cannabis from Thailand. In 2025, Thailand accounted for over 25% of Australia’s medical cannabis imports, going from 1.1 tons in 2024 to 20.7 tons in 2025.
What Comes Next for Global Medical Cannabis
Many countries are currently in the process of launching their own legal medical cannabis industries, with most of them seemingly eyeing an entry into the export sector. Several other countries have already modernized their laws and regulations to allow medical cannabis production and exports, and are working to expand their already-existing international export footprints. As such, the global medical cannabis industry will continue to evolve for the foreseeable future, which will benefit patients, entrepreneurs, investors, and national economies.
Medical cannabis imports and exports are always a hot topic at the annual International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin, Germany, the cannabis world’s premier meeting point. That is sure to be the case at the 2027 ICBC trade show, with thousands of leaders from more than 80 countries expected to be in attendance. The B2B conference’s schedule will be packed with individual presentations and panel discussions examining the current state of the global cannabis industry and what to expect going forward.
