EU Organic Hemp Hearts Sourcing Guide: What to Look for in a Supplier
If you are buying organic hemp hearts for the first time — or reviewing your current supplier — you have probably noticed that not all EU organic certifications are the same. Some suppliers source from multiple farms. Others test irregularly. And some simply repackage products they bought from someone else.
At Nordic Hemp, we grow, harvest, dehull, and pack our organic hemp hearts on our own farm in Estonia. We are certified under EU Organic (EE-ÖKO-03) and BRCGS Food Safety, and we test regularly through independent laboratories. This guide covers what to look for when choosing a supplier, how to verify certifications, and why vertical integration matters for consistency.
To source organic hemp hearts in the EU, look for a supplier with EU Organic certification (EE-ÖKO-03), BRCGS Food Safety certification, and independent lab testing. Verify that the supplier grows its own hemp rather than repackaging from third parties. Standard bulk packaging is 30 × 25 kg bags on a pallet (750 kg total). THC and CBD are naturally present at trace levels, well below the EU limit of 3 mg/kg.
What should you look for in an organic hemp supplier?
Not all EU organic certifications are equal. The label “EU Organic” on a product means the farm and processor have been inspected by an accredited certifying body. But the depth of that inspection varies. Some suppliers operate with minimal traceability. Others are vertically integrated — they control the entire chain from seed to shipment.
Here are the key questions to ask any potential supplier:
Do you grow your own hemp? A supplier that grows its own crop can control variety selection, soil quality, harvest timing, and post-harvest handling. Repackagers cannot.
Which certifications do you hold? EU Organic (EE-ÖKO-03) is the minimum. BRCGS Food Safety certification adds an extra layer of verification — it means the facility has passed a rigorous third-party audit for food safety management.
How often do you test? We test regularly through independent laboratories. Soil testing happens before planting. Final product testing covers nutritional profile, THC content, and microbiological safety.
What varieties do you grow? The variety affects seed size, oil content, protein level, and flavour. At Nordic Hemp, we grow Estica, Finola, and our newest variety — RAK, a Canadian-bred grain variety registered in the EU catalogue in 2025. RAK produces larger seeds with excellent dehulling characteristics and a buttery flavour profile.
RAK is a new hemp grain variety bred by Verve Seed Solutions in Canada and registered in the EU Common Catalogue in 2025. It has a thousand-kernel weight over 20g — roughly 40% larger than Finola — and outstanding dehulling performance. Nordic Hemp is the sole official distributor of RAK planting seeds in Europe.
What does EU Organic certification (EE-ÖKO-03) mean?
EU Organic certification (Regulation EU 2018/848) covers the entire production chain — from field to finished product. Every batch is traceable back to the farm where it was grown.
Our certification body issues the EE-ÖKO-03 code, which is registered in the EU organic farming database. This means any buyer can verify our certification status online.
The key points for buyers:
No synthetic pesticides or fertilisers are used at any stage of production. Our fields are certified organic land, and we test soil before planting to confirm it meets organic standards.
Non-GMO is guaranteed. All three varieties we grow — Estica, RAK and Finola — are open-pollinated, non-genetically modified varieties.
No ionising radiation is used at any stage of processing. The ingredient statement is simply “organic hemp hulled seed.”
Why is BRCGS certification important for hemp hearts?
BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standards) is one of the most widely accepted food safety certifications in the world. It is recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
Our facility is BRCGS certified for hemp hearts processing. This means we have passed a detailed third-party audit covering:
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system
- Product traceability and recall procedures
- Allergen management
- Cleaning and sanitation protocols
- Pest control and facility maintenance
- Staff training and hygiene
If you are supplying to food manufacturers, retailers, or baby food producers — many of them require BRCGS certification from their ingredient suppliers.
Should you buy directly from a producer or a repackager?
This is one of the most important decisions you will make when sourcing hemp hearts. The difference affects quality, traceability, and price.
- Controls variety selection and growing conditions
- Full traceability from field to final product
- Direct communication — no middlemen
- Consistent quality across seasons
- Better pricing for bulk contracts
- Limited control over growing conditions
- Traceability depends on the original supplier
- Additional handling and storage steps
- Quality can vary between batches
- Higher price due to intermediary margins
At Nordic Hemp, we are vertically integrated. We grow our own organic hemp in Estonia, process it at our own facility, and ship directly to buyers. There are no intermediaries, no repackaging steps, and no loss of traceability.
How can you verify an organic hemp supplier?
Before committing to a contract, here is a simple checklist:
Request the organic certificate. It should show the certifying body, the certification code (EE-ÖKO-03 for us), and the scope of certification (growing, processing, or both).
Ask for BRCGS certification. Not all hemp heart suppliers have it. If food safety is important to your end customer, this matters.
Ask about varieties. A supplier that knows which varieties they grow and can explain the differences is likely more experienced.
Visit or request a video audit. Many reputable suppliers can arrange a virtual tour of their facility.
Check the packaging. Standard bulk packaging for hemp hearts is 30 × 25 kg bags on a pallet (750 kg total). If a supplier offers significantly different packaging, ask why.
Before committing to a full container, request a sample pallet. Test the product in your own facility. Verify the nutritional profile matches the specification. This is standard practice and any reputable supplier will accommodate it.
FAQ
What does EU Organic EE-ÖKO-03 mean?
EE-ÖKO-03 is the certification code issued by the Estonian organic certification body. EE stands for Estonia, ÖKO for organic, and 03 is the specific certifier. It confirms the product meets EU Organic Regulation 2018/848.
Is BRCGS certification required for hemp hearts?
Not legally required, but it is increasingly demanded by food manufacturers, retailers, and baby food producers. BRCGS is a GFSI-recognised food safety standard that goes beyond basic EU regulatory requirements.
What is the minimum order quantity for bulk hemp hearts?
Standard packaging is 30 × 25 kg bags per pallet (750 kg total). Contact us directly for current MOQ and pricing.
Do hemp hearts contain THC?
THC is naturally present in hemp seeds at trace levels, well below 3 mg/kg — the EU limit. Independent lab tests confirm our products meet all regulatory requirements.
What varieties of hemp do you grow?
We grow Estica, Finola, and our newest variety — RAK — a Canadian-bred grain variety registered in the EU catalogue in 2025. RAK produces larger seeds (TKW over 20g) with excellent dehulling characteristics and a buttery flavour profile.
Looking for a certified organic supplier?
We supply EU Organic and BRCGS certified hemp hearts to food manufacturers across Europe. Contact our team for pricing, samples, and certification documentation.
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