Europe's CBD market hits record growth in 2026 - what's behind the numbers?

According to the quarterly review of Europe's CBD industry, market volume reached €4.2 billion in the first three months of 2026 - a 28% increase year-over-year. The fastest growth was recorded in Germany, France, and the Czech Republic. Data from analytics firm Brightfield Group shows that one of the key growth factors is rising consumer trust. Research found that 67% of European buyers now check a CBD product's lab certificate before purchasing - up from just 41% in 2024. Another significant trend is the entry of pharmacy chains into the CBD segment. Germany's largest drugstore chain, dm, launched a line of CBD oils and creams in February 2026 that entered the top 10 of the cosmetics category in its first month of sales. The market structure is also shifting. While online sales previously dominated (78% in 2023), physical retail's share grew to 39% in 2026. This indicates that CBD products are integrating into mainstream retail channels. Challenges remain, however. The EU's updated Novel Food regulation requires producers to undergo additional certification - a financial burden for smaller brands. Experts predict that by 2027, only companies meeting strict quality standards will survive on the market. Notably, market growth is not limited to Western Europe. Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria have emerged as fast-growing markets, with CBD product imports doubling between 2025 and 2026.