The International Hop Growers' Conference
Hop Update August 2024
Acreage and growing conditions:
Global acreage for the 2024 crop year has fallen for the third year in a row by almost 5,000 ha to just 56,100 ha, reminiscent of the comparatively drastic decline in 2010, when a similar area was taken out of global production from one year to the next. This means that the acreage is roughly the same as in 2016, but still almost 20 % larger than at the low point in 2013 – before the historic expansion triggered by the craft beer boom.
Belgium
Lots of rain and less sun this year. Crop looks very poor Acres reduced by 4.4%
Czech Republic
Acreage and grower numbers stable. Saaz down slightly but Sladek and other alpha up slightly. Very wet in May, lots of rain. June and July have been dryer and temperatures are slightly higher than average.
Hops look well and crop should be average crop.
Wind in June 2 ha down and 40 ha affected over all.
France
729 ha, two growers down this year.
Storm 5 weeks ago destroyed 10ha.
Hops are looking well despite difficult conditions.
Growers have planted Chinook, Willamette, Challenger, Target to compliment Strisselspalt which is still 34% of area.
New planters in new regions all around France are close to local brewers and are selling direct to brewery. Traditional areas are struggling.
Germany
Total acreage 340ha lower than last year but alpha is 500ha higher so aroma has been considerably reduced. Huge reduction in Perle and Tradition.
Crop looks really good and so it could even be higher than report predicts. Estimated 5-10% above an average crop. However with a lot more alpha varieties planted there will potentially be a much bigger production of alpha. It is believed that most of it is contracted.
Titan 228ha higher than last year.
2024-26 contracted well.
Organic hops increased again, could be 300ha organic next year.
Weather has been good and rainfall high with some flooding (some damage). High instance of downy and powdery mildew so growers had to spray more.
800ha in Tettnang badly affected by aphid but now under control.
Reduction in available crop protection products will cause problems in the EU moving forward
Great Britain
Acres declined again. 50ha down this year mainly due to on farm family issues (No succession).
Very wet winter and spring followed by mild cool spring. Late training as hops not growing quickly. May low night temperatures kept growth slow.
Dry June followed by more rain in July.
Crop now developing well and a good average crop expected.
Some pest and disease issues but all well controlled.
Now 45 growers growing hops (down again this year), the number is hopefully now stabilised.
Poland
Wet cold spring, beginning of April temps up to 25 degrees. Quick growth hops all stung early. Frosts -7 to -15 overnight and plants were hit hard.
Very hot now and rainfall has been low until now. Rainfall mainly storms so water drained away quickly. Weather like this not seen before so very worrying.
Slightly below average crop expected due to hail and strange weather.
Average size of farm is only 2.78ha so lots of small growers. Most growers have other jobs or farm other crops.
Aphids and spider mites have been a big problem and even with three applications still not fully controlled.
Vine weevil very difficult to control as no chemical controls available. It has become more of a problem.
largest farm 40-45ha.
Russia
Higher acres locally to reduce imports. Lots of demand from government owned breweries.
Poor crop expected due to bad weather therefore 90% of requirements will still be imported.
Brewers are looking at hop production locally to self-satisfy. Government programmes to promote hop growing.
186ha planted this year but crop looks poor. Difficult to grow hops and lots of investment needed.
Slovenia
Celeia acreage increased. Aurora and Savinjski reduced.
Estimates reduced from predictions earlier in the year due to difficult conditions and plants have not established as well as expected.
Rainfall has been patchy, lots on some farms and none on others. Irrigation needed early on drier farms.
Savinjski in cone already.
Good quality and below average to average yields predicted.
Spain
590ha expected to increase again next year.
Nugget being converted into new American varieties (Helios??) All Spanish hops used in Spanish breweries.
Spanish government is very hard on agrochemicals and there are very few recommended chemicals. This is why new varieties with resistance are needed.
USA
Market correction underway.
18% acreage reduction in Pacific NW this year 10% last year so almost 30% reduction in two years.
More acreage planted in other areas so overall 15% down this year. (Michigan now 800acres and New York State 250ha) Main reductions:
Citra 27%
Mosaic 23%
Organics 25%
Weak snowpack so water availability is tighter but no problems reported.
Very cool spring so many babies may not be harvested this year.
Smoke taint remains a concern due to wildfires being more prevalent.
Crop looks ok but quite a poor bloom so it is hoped that the cones form well. Average yields expected.
Summary
As in the previous year, the US growing regions of Idaho, Oregon and Washington are almost solely responsible for this significant decline in acreage, as most surpluses are also produced here. In total, around 18% or 3,956 ha were taken out of production in these growing regions. The acreage of dual and aroma varieties was reduced by 21% and that of high alpha varieties by around 8%.
The acreage in Germany remained stable at -340 ha (- 1.8%), as was the case in most other
European regions. On balance, the high alpha varieties Herkules, Polaris and Titan recorded
an increase of 674 ha in Germany, while aroma varieties such as Perle (- 375 ha) and Tradition (- 241 ha) lost more acreage than in previous years.
The weather conditions in Europe during this growing season saw unusually high rainfall. At the time of writing, rainfall in Hallertau, Spalt and Tettnang was well above the 30-year average (e.g. Hallertau May +40%, June +30%). Only the Elbe-Saale growing region recorded rainfall well below the long-term average (May -20%, June -65%). Temperatures were slightly above the long-term average (+2-3 °C). In the current growing season, the pressure from diseases and pests is extremely high and it is becoming apparent that the constantly shrinking list of approved pesticides is reaching its limits when it comes to keeping hop stocks healthy..
In the USA, conditions were cooler than usual at the beginning of the growing season. The
elevated temperatures that have prevailed since July should be conducive to growing conditions.
The reservoirs are sufficiently full at the beginning of the irrigation period. If the favourable weather conditions continue, a normal harvest can be expected in the growing regions of the Pacific Northwest.
