T h e B A R T H R e p o rt
Hops 2012/2013
C o nt e nts
World Market Key Data
2
Foreword
3
Cover Picture
3
Political Situation
4
European Union
4
Economic Situation
6
Key Data of the USA, China, Japan and Germany 6
World Beer Production 2011/2012
7
Beer Output Development
8
Market Analysis
8
Hop Forward Contract Rates
9
Hop Alpha Acid Production
9
Hop Alpha Acid Balance
10
Hop Acreage and Crop 2011/2012
11
Development 2001 – 2012
12
Country Special
Belgium23
Country Report 2012 Crop/America
USA23
Country Report 2012 Crop/Asia
China27
Country Reports 2013 Crop/Australia/Oceania
Australia28
New Zealand
29
Hop Plant Development 2013
Outlook 2013
Currency Exchange Rates
Conversion Table
Publishing Details
Members of Barth-Haas Group
Dry Hopping
29
30
30
30
30
31
32
Country Reports 2012 Crop/Europe
Germany14
Czech Republic
18
Poland19
Slovenia20
England21
Spain21
France22
W o r l d M ark e t K e y D ata
Hop area under
cultivation in ha
Hop production
in mt
Hop alpha production
in mt
100,604
Beer production
in mill. hl
1,929
1,951
89,090
48,529
46,971
Hops 12/13
2
10,378
9,139
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
-6.7%
-3.2%
0.7%
-11.4%
9.5%
-11.9%
3.5%
1.2%
F o r e W o rd
decided to find out just how each hop variety smells,
what aromas it has and what effects these aromas
can have in the finished beer.
Therefore, in close cooperation with two world
champion beer sommeliers and a perfumist, Joh.
Barth & Sohn has so far itemised the aromas of 87
hop varieties and provided a detailed description of
them in the Hop Aroma Compendium (48 varieties in
Volume 1 and 39 in Volume 2). Unique aromas were
discovered in each hop variety. As the original hop
aroma can only give an indication of the ultimate
hop aroma in the beer, the team developed a hop
evaluation process using cold extraction, thus
enabling them to arrive at an approximate aroma
prediction for dry hopping. In view of the current
interest being shown by the brewing industry, we
have dedicated a separate article to this special
brewing process on the last page of this report.
No other raw material used in brewing has such a
great influence on the aroma, flavour and bitterness
of the beer as hops. And no other raw material has
as many aromas as hops. In the past, hop varieties
were divided into aroma varieties and bitter or
high alpha varieties and the hops were used in the
brewing process accordingly. In comparison to earlier
production processes which were mainly orientated
towards hop bittering, US craft breweries focus their
attention solely on the flavour profiles of their beers.
Over the last few years this has resulted in a different
view being taken of the hop as a raw material and
of its potential for many aromas. For that reason we
Joh. Barth & Sohn is currently working on volume 3 of
the Hop Aroma Compendium. This will feature further
hop varieties from countries including Germany, the
Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, England, China and
New Zealand. The book is due to be published at the
end of 2013. Volumes I to III will then catalogue
approx. 130 hop varieties.
The Hop Aroma Compendium
Volumes 1 and 2 are available
in German and English and can
be ordered from the publishing
house Hans Carl.
Join us in discovering hops and their incomparable
aromas – in the interests of beer and of your
customers!
Source material from all over the world was required to produce this report.
We would like to thank all those who provided us with information.
A b o ut t h e F r o nt C o v e r
Beer flavour through dry hopping. The picture
shows a fully loaded hop kiln with freshly
harvested hops in the process of being dried. The
title is a word play with “Hop drying” which is the
necessary process to prevent hops from spoiling,
being turned into “Dry hopping” the process of
imparting wonderful flavour into great beers.
Hops 12/13
3
P o l itica l S ituati o n
The unstable situation in the Middle East and on the
Arabian Peninsula continued to dominate the daily
headlines.
For two years president Bashar al-Assad of Syria has
been trying to put down a rebellion against his regime
with unrelenting force. According to reports by the
United Nations in April 2013, over 70,000 people have
been killed and a quarter of the population have had to
flee their homes since the outbreak of the civil war. The
war in Syria also heightened tensions in Iraq and led to
an increase in acts of terrorism there, mostly committed
against Shiite Muslims and the security forces.
After more than four decades of authoritarian rule,
democratic elections took place for the first time in Libya
in July 2012. In October 2012, Mustafa Abushagur,
who had been elected prime minister, was dismissed by
the Libyan parliament after only four weeks in office.
The national assembly subsequently elected the former
diplomat Ali Zeidan as his successor and approved the
cabinet proposed by him.
In Egypt, Mohammed Mursi was confirmed as the new
president in June 2012 after winning a run-off. There
were repeated, often violent, protests against the Islamic
president who vastly extended his powers by amending
the constitution. In a referendum in December 2012,
a majority approved the highly controversial new
constitution.
The break-up of the grand coalition in Israel led to early
elections. In March 2013 the formation of a new alliance
resulted in a new government. Benjamin Netanyahu
remained prime minister. In November 2012 and April
2013 Israel responded to rocket attacks by militant
Palestinians with military measures in the Gaza Strip.
In Africa, a new trouble spot appeared on the map.
After a military coup in Mali in March 2012, Islamic
fundamentalists conquered the north of the country.
In December the UN Security Council authorized the
deployment of peacekeeping forces in the crisis-stricken
country. After France began a military operation in
support of the government troops in January 2013,
other countries gradually joined in the fight against the
Islamists. In the longer term it is planned to have an
African peacekeeping force to safeguard peace in Mali.
In February 2013 under its new dictator Kim Jong Un,
North Korea carried out a third nuclear test following
those in 2006 and 2009. In March the regime declared
a state of war with South Korea. Although already
isolated and subjected to tough sanctions, the country
also provoked the West with rocket tests and threatened
the USA with a nuclear attack on several occasions.
Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term in office
as president of the United States of America in the
elections in November 2012. The Republicans retained
their majority in the US house of representatives, the
Democrats theirs in the senate.
Xi Jinping, who had been elected chairman of the
Communist Party in China in November 2012, was
declared the new president of the People’s Republic
in March 2013 as expected. He is also the head of the
armed forces of the world’s most populated country.
In politically crisis-ridden Italy, in April 2013 the
electoral assembly re-elected the 87-year-old retiring
president Giorgio Napolitano as president. He was
the only one trusted to break the deadlock after the
parliamentary elections. Only ten days later, Enrico
Letta of the Democratic Party was sworn in as prime
minister. His cabinet replaced the 15-month government
of the independent prime minister Mario Monti.
For the first time since independence in 1947, in
Pakistan a civilian government survived an entire period
in office and handed over power to a democratically
elected successor. In May 2013 the country elected the
religious conservative politician Nawaz Sharif as prime
minister.
After 33 years on the throne, Queen Beatrix of the
Netherlands, abdicated on 30 April 2013. Her eldest son
Willem-Alexander succeeded her to the throne. He is
the first male monarch of the Netherlands for 123 years.
Eur o p e an U ni o n ( E U ) European Currency Union (ECU)
Political and economic stability were the focus of
activity for the ECU. Associated with this was the
safeguarding of peace within the Community and in
Europe as a whole.
The escalation in the banking crisis necessitated
further political intervention in 2012 in order to
placate nervous financial markets.
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) came into
Hops 12/13
4
effect on 27 September 2012. The ESM constitutes an
important element in an overall package designed to
permanently strengthen the European Economic and
Monetary Union, and will supersede the European
Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM). The
ESM’s authorised capital amounts to 700bn EUR, of
which 500bn EUR can be made available for loans. In
addition to the 80bn EUR of paid-in capital, it has
been provided with guarantees of 620bn EUR.
Eur o p e an U ni o n ( E U )
On 13 December 2012, the EU finance ministers agreed
upon a common supervisory authority for banks for
the euro zone. Apart from the monitoring of banks,
the establishment of supervision (expected 2014) is
considered to be a prerequisite for direct ESM aid for
banks. These funds will not be charged to national
budgets, and will therefore have no effect upon
demands for budget cuts pertaining to the respective
country. Exceptions have been allowed to help
distressed banks that require aid before direct ESM aid
is available.
Spain has already applied for 40bn EUR of aid for its
financial institutions. The Spanish state will assume
liability for any payment defaults. Spain’s financial
sector is suffering under the consequences of the
property bubble that burst in late 2007/early 2008.
Furthermore, severe austerity programmes and high
unemployment are depressing economic development.
In December 2012, Greece was granted further
tranches of already appointed loans from the EU. An
additional aid package was launched to counteract
new shortfalls in the national budget up until 2020.
Furthermore, due to the desolate economic state of the
country, banks are having to contend with large loan
defaults.
In an effort to rescue Cyprus, in March 2013 EU
ministers agreed upon a loan of more than 10bn EUR
for the country. Cyprus must put up a further 13bn
EUR itself, whilst complying with strict demands for
budget cuts.
The Euro Group elected a new president. In January
2013, European finance ministers elected Dutchman
Jeroen Dijsselbloem as successor to Luxembourg’s
Jean-Claude Juncker.
The EU is seemingly prepared to allow countries with
excessive budget deficits more time to comply with
the EU’s self-imposed ceiling of 3 % of the respective
country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Crop Protection
On 26 and 27 September 2012, representatives of all
hop-growing EU member states met at the Hop Research
Institute in Hüll. The objective of this meeting was the
establishment of the “Commodity Expert Working Group
(CEG) Hops” within the framework of the “Technical
Working Group Minor Uses”. This transnational working
group has the task of improving coordination among
all participants involved in licensing plant protection
products on the basis of Article 51 of EU Regulation
(EC) No. 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant
protection products on the market. This working group
is made up of 17 members from nine EU countries
and the USA, and met for the first time in Brussels
on 21 February 2013, in order to discuss further
procedures and to set initial joint projects in motion.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) –
CAP reform from 2013
After the European Commission published the
legislative proposals for the reform of the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) in October 2011, EU
institutions and interest groups entered into a debate
on these proposals. In June and December 2012, the
European Council published proposals for technical
and political changes in two progress reports. In four
reports, the European Parliament proposed approx.
8,000 amendments to the Commission’s texts. Among
these was a motion by members of the European
Parliament from Germany calling for the support
scheme for hop growers’ organisations in Germany to
be maintained at the current level of 2.28m EUR per
year. They also called for the attestation of equivalence
for the import of hops from non-EU countries likewise
to remain unchanged (Directive (EC) No. 1295/2008).
Out of these proposed amendments, the European
Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture drafted 279
lines of compromise. These were voted upon by the
Committee on Agriculture at the end of January 2013,
and a preliminary negotiating mandate was granted.
On 14 March 2013, the European Parliament accepted
most of the Committee’s resolutions by a majority, and
therewith granted a final mandate for negotiations
with the European Council and the Commission.
On 19 March 2013, the European Union’s agricultural
ministers finally agreed upon outlines for further
development of the Common Agricultural Policy. They
also spoke out in favour of upholding the specific
support measures for the hop growers’ organisations in
Germany. On the basis of the results obtained by the
EU Agricultural Council, the Irish council presidency
is striving for political accord with the European
Parliament by June 2013.
To this end, the council presidency, the European
Parliament and the European Commission have been
holding talks since April 2013 in the hope of reaching
compromise on the issues that are dividing the council
and Parliament. Formal adoption of the CAP legislative
package is planned for Autumn 2013.
Delays in achieving political accord on the long-term
financial framework of the EU mean that the new
CAP regulations will also be late in coming into force.
2014 will see transitional regulations in place, which
– taking into consideration the financial ceilings of
the 2014-2020 long-term financial framework – will
otherwise more or less constitute an update of existing
regulations. The new agricultural policy regulations
are to come into force from 2015.
Hops 12/13
5
Ec o n o mic S ituati o n
There was a further decline in world economic growth.
From a global perspective, the euro zone remained the
greatest economic trouble spot. While the economies
in other regions of the world recovered, Europe lagged
behind.
Following an increase of 3.9 % in 2011, the gross
domestic product (GDP) of the global economy as a
whole fell back to 2.6 % in 2012. The four most important
economies in global terms developed differently (see key
indicators). There was an increase in GDP in the USA and
in Japan. China and Germany, on the other hand, saw
their GDP decline. After achieving growth of 1.6 % in
2011, the countries of the European Union closed the
year 2012 with a decrease in GDP of 0.3 %. By far the
highest negative growth figure among the euro states
was registered by Greece, with 6.4 %.
The decisions of the world’s major central banks reflected
their continuing efforts to support the economic
development of their respective countries. In July 2012,
the Governing Council of the European Central Bank
(ECB) lowered its benchmark interest rate to 0.75 %.
The continuing recession in the euro zone prompted the
ECB to further reduce the interest rate to 0.5 % in May
2013. The economies of Europe’s crisis-stricken countries
(Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) in particular failed to
come to life. The benchmark rate had never been below
one per cent since the currency union was established.
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) extended its zero-interest
policy and provided additional money supply by means of
billion-dollar purchases of bonds (known as quantitative
easing). In addition, it continued to exchange shortterm US treasury bonds for bonds with longer maturities.
In June 2012 the People’s Bank of China (PBC) also
lowered its benchmark interest rate, fixing it at 6.31 %
(-0.25 %). This was followed by a second reduction,
to 6.00 %, in July 2012. The interest rate had been steadily
increased from 2010 in order to prevent the economy from
overheating. It had not been reduced since 2008.
Regardless of the slowdown in economic growth, the
international stock markets saw their leading indices rise
significantly to reach a new all-time high. The rally began
in early June 2012. Germany’s leading share index (Dax),
which had closed at 6,264 points on 31 May, reached an
all-time high of 8,558 points on 22 May 2013. In similar
fashion, the Dow Jones, which had closed at 12,393
points on 31 May 2012, also climbed to an all-time high
on 22 May 2013, closing at 15,542 points.
In July 2012, as a result of the debt crisis, the euro fell
below the level of 1.22 USD for the first time in two
years. During the period from June 2012 to May 2013,
the highest exchange rate was noted at 1.37 USD on
1 February 2013.
The decline in the price of crude oil continued in the
second quarter of 2012. The lowest oil price was reached
on 22 June 2012 when a barrel of Dated Brent FOB Sullom
Voe crude oil was quoted at slightly below 89 USD. From
August 2012 to March 2013 the oil price ranged between
approx. 110 and approx. 119 USD. The downward trend
that had already begun in mid-February led to a price of
101 USD on 31 May.
The national debt of the USA has grown to more than
16 trillion dollars. In the US Congress, the Democrats and
the Republicans failed to reach agreement on the budget.
Therefore, on 1 March 2013 automatic spending cuts came
into force, imposing massive mandatory savings on the
state. On 21 March the Senate passed a budget proposal
for the coming six months, thereby securing the USA’s
current state spending up to the end of the budget year
on 30 September 2013.
K e y D ata
GDP
growth (real) in %
The figures for 2010 and 2011
have been revised according
to the latest statistics
*) Interest rate for 10-year
bonds. China: Lending rate
for long-term loans.
USA
China
Japan
Hops 12/13
6
Balance of Payments in USD bn
Balance of Trade
in USD bn
Inflation Rate
Ø in %
Interest Rate
Ø in %*)
Unemployment
(as of 31.12.) in %
2010
2.4%
-442.0
-634.9 1.6%
3.19%
9.6%
2011
1.8%
-465.9
-727.4 3.2%
2.76%
9.0%
2012
2.2%
-475.0
-727.9 2.1%
1.78%
8.1%
2010
10.4%
305.4
181.5
3.3%
6.01%
4.1%
2011
9.3%
201.2
155.0
5.4%
6.86%
4.1%
2012
7.8%
206.5
230.7
2.6%
6.78%
4.1%
2010
4.7%
203.8
75.6
2011
-0.6%
-0.7% 1.18%
5.1%
119.7
-32.1
-0.3% 1.13%
4.6%
-87.0
0.0% 0.86%
4.4%
2012
2.0%
60.4
2010
4.2%
206.8
205.3
1.1%
2.78%
7.7%
Germany 2011
3.0%
224.4
220.9
2.1%
2.65%
7.1%
2012
0.7%
238.2
241.9
2.0%
1.56%
6.8%
W O R L D B EE R P R O D U C T I O N 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2
Europe
Country
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
Poland
Spain
Ukraine
Netherlands
France
Belgium
Czech Republic
Romania
Italy
Turkey
Austria
Ireland
Portugal
Denmark
Hungary
Serbia
Bulgaria
Sweden
Belarus/
White Russia
Finland
Switzerland
Greece
Croatia
Slovakia
Lithuania
Norway
Slovenia
Estonia
Latvia
Moldavia
BosniaHerzegovina
Georgia
Macedonia
Albania
Montenegro
Cyprus
Luxembourg
Iceland
Malta
Armenia
TOTAL
America
2011
98,140
95,545
45,694
36,000
33,573
30,510
23,647
19,110
18,571
17,776
16,900
12,510
9,800
8,917
8,514
8,299
6,590
6,241
5,523
5,020
4,491
4,690
2012
97,400
94,618
42,049
37,800
33,000
30,050
24,272
19,000*
18,500*
18,265
17,900
12,791
9,980
8,927
8,197
7,500
6,600*
6,159
5,418
5,240
4,500*
4,285
3,978
3,546
3,700
3,589
2,975
2,922
2,348
1,973
1,360
1,533
1,071
3,784
3,515
3,500*
3,400*
3,022
2,900*
2,308
1,878
1,443
1,405
1,135*
807
923
630
575
437
321
303
189
136
147
549,524
857
825
660
550*
439
335
292
185*
147
137
545,168
Australia/Oceania
Country
2011 2012
Australia
17,380
17,350
New Zealand
3,000
2,800
Papua New Guinea
700
800
Tahiti
187*
187*
Fiji Islands
181
185
New Caledonia
137*
137*
Solomon Islands
63*
63 *
Samoa
60
60
Vanuatu
9*
9*
21,717
21,591
TOTAL
Country
USA
Brazil
Mexico
Columbia
Venezuela
Canada
Argentina
Peru
Chile
Ecuador
Dominican
Republic
Cuba
Panama
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Guatemala
Bolivia
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Jamaica
Uruguay
Honduras
Puerto Rico
Trinidad
Belize
Guyana
Bahamas
Dutch
Antilles
Suriname
Barbados
St. Lucia
Martinique
St. Vincent
Grenada
St. Kitts
Haiti
Antigua
Aruba
Dominica
Cayman Islands
TOTAL
Africa
2011 2012
226,480
229,314
133,000*
132,800*
81,500*
82,500*
21,000*
22,550*
23,500*
21,470*
19,515
19,525
17,000*
16,700*
11,500*
13,200*
5,960*
6,000*
5,500*
5,925*
3,300*
3,400*
2,660*
1,800*
1,500*
1,500*
1,500*
1,300*
800*
950*
950*
900*
900*
700*
420*
300*
260*
140*
140*
2,600*
2,050*
1,660
1,500*
1,400*
1,300*
1,100*
1,000*
950*
950*
845*
750*
430*
320*
260*
140*
140*
90*
80*
70*
60*
45*
30*
23*
20*
18*
16*
12*
4*
565,443
90*
80*
70*
60*
45*
30*
23*
20*
18*
16*
12*
4*
571,247
Asia
Country
2011 2012
China
489,880
490,200
Japan
56,000
55,465
Vietnam
27,800*
29,800
Thailand
20,600
23,700
India
18,500
19,500*
South Korea
18,497
18,875
Philippines
15,700
15,800*
Taiwan
5,132
5,461
Kazakhstan
4,250
4,801
Cambodia
3,100*
4,000*
Uzbekistan
3,125
3,325
Malaysia
2,600
2,700*
Indonesia
2,250
2,650
Laos
1,937
2,196
Iran
3,300
2,000
Sri Lanka
950
1,200
Singapore
1,100
1,100
Israel
1,020
1,100*
Myanmar (Burma)
1,000
1,100*
Mongolia
571
651
Aserbaidjan
441
521
Nepal
425
508
Hongkong
540
445
Tajikistan
300*
310*
Kirgisistan
202
219
Libanon
202
200*
Turkmenistan
180*
200*
Pakistan
65
90
Jordan
80
85*
Bangladesh
12
12
Syria
79
0
679,838
688,214
TOTAL
Country
2011 2012
South Africa
30,870
31,500*
Nigeria
19,596
24,000*
Angola
8,200*
9,500
Cameroon
6,000
6,900
Kenya
4,900
5,188
Dem. Rep. of the
4,800
5,000*
Congo (Zaire)
4,400
Ethiopia
3,264
Tanzania
3,500
4,000*
Uganda
3,020
3,546
Congo
1,837
2,800*
(Brazzaville)
Namibia
2,300
2,500
Ghana
1,834
2,200*
Simbabwe
1,946
2,121
Mozambique
1,830
1,993
1,900*
Burundi
1,765
Ivory Coast
1,600
1,800
Tunisia
1,419
1,500*
Gabun
1,100
1,200
Sambia
1,040
1,154
Madagascar
1,239
1,147
Rwanda
1,100
1,100*
Burkina Faso
900
1,100
Algeria
1,015
1,000*
Egypt
1,000
1,000
Benin
850
960
Morocco
850
850
Botswana
429
517
Tschad
450
500
Togo
400
440
Mauritius
400
400
Lesotho
382
372
221
272
Sudan
Réunion
236
240*
Swaziland
209
214
Malawi
210*
210*
Eritrea
260
200
Guinea (Conakry)
220
200
Equatorial Guinea
200
200
Central African
170
170
Republic
Liberia
185
154
Senegal
170
150
Sierra Leone
108
130*
Mali
110
120
Niger
65
60
Seychelles
60
60
Guinea-Bissau
45*
45*
Gambia
30
40
Cape Verde
8*
8*
112,343
125,061
TOTAL
figures in 1,000 hl
in italics: corrections for 2011
as stated in last year’s report.
* estimate
A list of the “Top 40 Countries”
according to ranking can be
found in the Beer Production
Market Leaders Report.
World total
TOTAL
2011
2012
1,928,865
1,951,281
Hops 12/13
7
B e e r o ut p ut D e v e l o p m e nt
2011
1,000 hl
The output volumes for 2011
quoted in last year's report
have been revised in some
cases.
European Union
Rest of Europe
Europe total
North America
Central America/Caribbean
South America
America total
Asia
Africa
Australia/Oceania
WORLD TOTAL
2012
1,000 hl
2011
+/- % rel.
2012
+/- % rel.
386,599
162,925
549,524
327,495
16,018
221,930
565,443
679,838
112,343
21,717
384,024
161,144
545,168
331,339
16,733
223,175
571,247
688,214
125,061
21,591
1.4%
-2.3%
0.2%
-0.3%
2.3%
3.9%
1.4%
7.7%
7.2%
0.2%
-0.7%
-1.1%
-0.8%
1.2%
4.5%
0.6%
1.0%
1.2%
11.3%
-0.6%
1,928,865
1,951,281
3.5%
1.2%
Due to subsequent corrections to the beer output
volumes for 2011, production volume was in fact
3.7 m hl higher than stated in last year’s report.
Based on the updated 2011 output figure, beer
production in 2012 rose by 22.4 million hectolitres,
or 1.2 %, worldwide.
The five most important beer-producing countries are
still China, the USA, Brazil, Russia and Germany.
Europe failed to match the previous year’s result.
A decrease in beer output volumes was registered both
in the European Union states and in other European
countries. Great Britain recorded by far the greatest
decline (-3.6m hl). In contrast, Poland and Romania
achieved an increase in production of 1.8m hl and
1.0m hl respectively.
The development in North America was also on the
positive side. The USA posted an increase of 2.8m hl.
South America’s total volume was significantly reduced
by the fall in output in Venezuela of 2.0m hl. America
increased overall output by 5.8m hl.
For many years China had been the outright leader in
the list of countries with the highest growth in beer
output. In 2012, in Asia it was led by Thailand (+3.1m
hl), Vietnam (+2.0m hl) and India (+1.0m hl), with
China increasing output by only 0.3m hl.
With an increase of 12.7m hl, Africa kept up its
vigorous growth in beer production which has been
maintained since 2002. In 2012, Nigeria (+4.4m hl)
was the country with the highest growth in output
volume worldwide, recording the greatest increase
amongst the African countries for the third year in
succession. Angola (+1.3m hl) and Ethiopia (+1.1m hl)
also contributed to the good result in 2012.
M ark e t A na l y sis
Crop year 2012 illustrated that the years of market
imbalance between supply and demand are now
approaching an end. After four years in which an annual
surplus of between roughly 1,400 mt and 3,200 mt
alpha was produced, the surplus sank considerably to
only approx. 460 mt alpha. This improvement in market
balance was due entirely to a further reduction in world
acreage for the 2012 crop, amounting to 1,558 ha less
than for the 2011 crop, as well as the unrelenting growth
of the US craft beer movement and its enthusiastic
imitators throughout the world. Craft brewers in the
USA, for example, required about a quarter of the local
hop production for the manufacture of their stronglyhopped beer creations with their wide spectrum of
flavour characteristics. Thus this segment, with its
many small players, required almost the same amount of
hops from the 2012 crop as the rest of the US brewing
industry with its market share of over 93 %. As further
strong growth in the US craft sector is to be expected, it
is likely that, in the USA, this segment will require more
hops from the 2013 crop than needed for the production
of the mainstream US beers.
Hops 12/13
8
This brings with it a wide range of consequences,
which have already been noticeable during the 2012
crop marketing period and which must be carefully
monitored in the future.
• The USA was the only major hop-growing country
in which hop acreage significantly increased. An
increase of approx. 1,400 ha for aroma and flavour
varieties faced acreage clearance of approx. 500 ha in
the category of high alpha varieties.
• With a total of 55 hop varieties, the USA has cultivated
by far the widest spectrum of varieties in the world,
followed by Germany with 27 varieties.
• In both countries, the range of varieties has increased
meteorically in the last few years; in the USA this
was particularly due to the demand from craft brewers
who, when buying, are more concerned with quality
and aroma diversity than with price.
• At the moment, growers in the United States are
reducing the high alpha segment in favour of
cultivating aroma and flavour varieties. Up until 10
years ago, it was presumed that the US hop industry
would be exporting approx. 80 % of its predominantly
high alpha hop production. However, in the meantime
M ark e t A na l y sis
this figure has been reduced to just 50 %, due to
the rapid growth of the US craft beer segment
with its demand for aroma and flavour hops. The
remaining 50 % is equally divided between US craft
brewers and the US mainstream brewers.
• As a result, Germany has inherited the leading role as
most significant supplier of alpha acids to the world
market. However, where prices are concerned, this
market share leadership has not yet been particularly
valuable, as past surpluses are still depressing the
market.
On the whole, the international brewing industry will be
increasingly dependent upon the supplier countries USA
and Germany, in particular upon the Yakima Valley and
Hallertau growers.
US and German share of the world market:
Crop
Acreage
Volume
Alpha acid
2012
64%
70%
78%
2011
62%
67%
77%
Due to the continued weak spot and forward contract
prices for almost all high alpha varieties in Europe, and
due to the far from excessive spot and forward contract
prices for many European aroma varieties, the number
of growers in Germany and other European countries is
simultaneously dwindling from year to year.
The situation can definitely be described as complex.
On the one hand, due to past surpluses, world hop
market prices are at rock bottom, particularly where
the high alpha segment is concerned. The warehouses
of hop marketing companies are full to the brim with
sold but still undelivered goods. On the other hand, the
market is witnessing a boom in demand for hop varieties
required by the US craft industry - a boom that has been
barely noticed by the international brewing industry.
In order to escape the price malaise that is affecting
the entire hop market, all hop-growing countries and
hop growers are increasingly trying to produce varieties
that can be sold in this segment. The market is swaying
between the euphoria of those who are supplying the
brewers for whom hops are “the grapes of beer” and are
thus prepared to pay accordingly, and the depression
affecting the majority of growers. Against this
background, further reductions in acreage are clearly to
be expected in the future.
Ultimately, it will be down to the brewing industry to
determine the path the world hop industry will take
in the future. If the US craft beer industry continues
to grow as it has done, and should similarly stronglyhopped beers continue their positive development in
other countries, the much larger mainstream brewers
may well find themselves in a genuine purchasing
race in the future. This will initially relate to specific
varieties, but may well then spread to include hop
acreage in general.
HOP F O R W A R D C O N T R A C T R A T E S
Forward contract rates (as per spring 2013)
Country
2013
2014
2015
2016
Germany
USA
Czech Republic
Poland
Slovenia
England
80%
100%
100%
75%
65%
70%
70%
90%
100%
75%
45%
40%
55%
75%
95%
80%
40%
30%
35%
60%
90%
85%
40%
20%
Due to insufficient availability
of official data, the forward
contracting rates are based
on estimates and have been
calculated on the basis of the
acreage expected for 2013 and
the long-term average yield.
HOP A LPH A A C I D P R O D U C T I O N
Alpha acid production world-wide has been divided into variety groups:
GROUP I:
Fine aroma hops
such as Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Hersbruck Spaet, Klon 18, Lubliner, Saazer, SA-1, Spalt,
Savinjski Golding, Styrian Golding (Celeia), Strisselspalt, Tettnang.
Varieties with a long-term
average alpha of up to 4.5%
GROUP II:
Aroma hops
such as Aurora, Bobek, Cascade, Cluster, First Gold, Fuggles, Golding, Hallertau
Tradition, Mount Hood, NZ Hallertau, Opal, Perle, Saphir, Smaragd, Spalt Select,
Sterling, Willamette.
Varieties with a long-term
average alpha of over 4.5%
GROUP III:
Bitter hops/
High Alpha hops
such as Admiral, Chelan, Chinook, Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus (CTZ), Galena,
Hallertau Magnum, Hallertau Merkur, Hallertau Taurus, Herkules, Kirin Flower,
Marco Polo, Marynka, Millennium, Northern Brewer, Nugget, NZ Pacific Gem,
Phoenix, Pride of Ringwood, Super Pride, Target, Tsingtao Flower, Victoria, Warrior.
Hops 12/13
9
HOP A LPH A A C I D P R O D U C T I O N
Group I - Fine aroma hops
Germany 41.9 %
(previous year 39.8 %),
Czech Republic 36.6 %
(previous year 43.2 %)
With the world hop crop divided into these groups, alpha acid production was as follows:
2011
Crop
share
Group
Group II – Aroma hops
Germany 46.2 %
(previous year 53.7 %),
USA 34.2 %
(previous year 24.0 %)
Group III – Bitter hops/
high alpha hops
USA 40.9 %
(previous year 41.5 %),
Germany 38.5 %
(previous year 36.9 %)
Minor corrections have been
made to the 2011 figures
for crop and alpha volume
quoted in last year’s report.
I
II
III
Crop
mt
10.9% 10,927
28.2% 28,386
60.9% 61,291
100.0% 100,604
TOTAL
2012
Alpha
Ø
Alpha
mt
3.9%
7.5%
12.8%
10.3%
424
4.1% 10.5%
2,118 20.4% 30.1%
7,836 75.5% 59.4%
10,378 100.0% 100.0%
Although the alpha acid content averaged 10.3 %,
as in the previous year, alpha production fell by 1,239 mt
year on year as a result of the lower world hop production volume in 2012.
Comparing the 2012 crop year with 2011, the share
of the bitter and high alpha variety group in total
production volume dropped by 1.5 %. At the same
time, the average alpha acid content increased and
so, despite the lower hop production volume, did the
share of the alpha produced.
Alpha
share
Crop
share
Crop
mt
Alpha
Ø
9,310
26,847
52,933
89,090
3.5%
7.0%
13.1%
10.3%
Alpha
mt
Alpha
share
324
3.5%
1,888 20.7%
6,927 75.8%
9,139 100.0%
With the global growth in the craft brewing segment,
consideration of the hop market purely in terms of
alpha acid is becoming increasingly less important.
There was no change to the ranking of the top alpha
producers. Germany was again in first place with
40.2 % (2011: 40.5 %), followed by the USA with
38.2 % (2011: 36.3 %) and China with 7.6 % (2011:
8.7 %).
The alpha acid values upon which the calculations
are based are recorded using the method of EBC analysis 7.4 % as is at the time of processing (ToP).
H o p A l p h a A cid B a l anc e
Alpha supply
Crop year
11,000
Surplus/Deficit
10,500
2009
+2,929 mt a / −
10,000
2010
+3,219 mt a / −
9,500
2011
+1,414 mt a / −
9,000
2012
+1,909 mt a / −
8,500
2013* + 457 mt a / −
8,000
Brew year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
10,952 mt a
10,424 mt a
10,378 mt a
9,139 mt a
9,477 mt a
7,495 mt a
7,733 mt a
8,063 mt a
8,469 mt a
8,682 mt a*
7,500
Alpha demand (Brew year)
Alpha production
(Crop year)
* Estimated demand
7,000
6,500
Brew year
Hopping rate
2009
4.09 g a/hl
2010
4.15 g a/hl
The growing craft beer sector is increasingly influencing
the way in which the alpha acid balance is determined.
This has made it necessary to establish a new basis for
calculating alpha demand. The alpha acid balance shown
here is based on this new method. The 2008 brewing
year (2007 crop year) represents the zero point for the
calculated hop surplus.
As in the past, these statistics do not take into account
the alpha degradation that occurs during the time
between processing the hops and their actual use in
Hops 12/13
10
2011
4.18 g a/hl
2012
4.34 g a/hl
2013*
4.35 g a/hl
the brewing industry or the approx. 200 mt of alpha
required for use outside the brewing industry.
The alpha surplus produced in the crop years 2008 to
2012 for the brewing industry thus amounts to almost
9,000 mt of alpha.
Estimated alpha demand for the 2013 brewing year is
based on an assumed increase in beer output volume of
approx. 2 %.
HOP A C R E A G E A N D C R OP
2011
2012
Acreage Production Ø-Alpha
ha
mt
%
Germany
Czech Republic
Alpha
mt
Acreage
ha
Production Ø-Alpha
mt
%
Alpha
mt
Hallertau
15,229
32,757.3
11.3%
3,699
14,258
29,794.1
10.9%
3,238
Elbe-Saale
Tettnang
Spalt
Other
1,392
1,222
366
20
2,882.6
1,783.5
643,7
43,4
12.0%
5.9%
6.8%
9.0%
347
106
44
4
1,284
1,215
351
20
2,546.1
1,607.4
481,2
46,4
12.5%
5.2%
6.2%
8.5%
319
84
30
4
18,228
3,516
592
524
38,110.6
4,556.2
882,9
648,8
11.0%
4.3%
4.5%
4.3%
4,199
196
39
28
17,128
3,400
500
466
34,475.2
3,280.0
541,8
516,3
10.7%
4.1%
4.1%
4.2%
3,674
134
22
22
4.3%
9.0%
7.7%
7.3%
12.8%
5.5%
8.5%
9.4%
4.7%
9.4%
8.8%
9.5%
11.7%
10.0%
263
219
190
104
121
36
38
16
13
24
16
3
1
0
4.1%
8.6%
6.6%
8.1%
11.4%
5.3%
7.9%
10.2%
4.2%
9.7%
8.0%
9.5%
0.0%
9.6%
178
157
103
118
118
40
35
12
9
23
13
2
0
0
Total
Saaz
Tirschitz
Auscha
Total
Poland
Slovenia
England
Spain
France
Austria
Romania
Slovakia
Belgium
Bulgaria
Portugal
Hungary
Netherlands
4,632
1,564
1,379
1,114
533
500
240
241
221
181
150*
17
6
3
6,087.9
2,426.0
2,470.3
1,425.4
944,5
657,6
449,1
166,0
273,8
254,7
180,0*
26,6
11,4
2,6
4,366
1,510
1,160
1,054
541
439
246
245
214
158
150*
12
0
3
4,338.1
1,818.2
1,556.2
1,461.0
1,029.0
751,9
445,9
114,0
203,0
234,4
160,0*
19,5
0,0
3,6
European Union
Ukraine
Turkey
Russia
Belarus/White Russia
Switzerland
Croatia
29,009
646
358
220
53
18
6
53,486.5
681,0
251,7
200,0
55,0
37,4
8,0
9.8%
7.0%
9.6%
4.9%
10.0%
8.8%
9.6%
5,243
48
24
10
5
3
1
27,226
465
348
220
53
18
0
46,610.0
454,0
322,0
160,0
50,0
37,8
0,0
9.6%
6.2%
9.2%
4.7%
9.5%
7.9%
0.0%
4,482
28
30
7
5
3
0
Rest of Europe
1,301
30,310
1,233.1
54,719.6
7.4%
9.7%
91
5,334
1,104
28,330
1,023.8
47,633.8
7.1%
9.6%
73
4,555
Washington
9,438
23,273.0
13.2%
3,062
10,133
22,042.8
13.0%
2,857
Oregon
Idaho
1,701
916
3,637.7
2,474.1
29,384.8
226,1
10.3%
13.4%
12.8%
9.2%
374
331
3,767
21
1,809
981
3,821.7
1,917.7
10.0%
13.0%
384
249
12,923
198
27,782.2
280,5
12.6%
10.6%
3,490
30
8.5%
12.8%
3
3,791
63*
13,184
55,0*
28,117.7
8.0%
12.5%
4
3,524
411
EUROPE
USA
Total
Argentina
Canada
42*
37,8*
12,285 29,648.7
AMERICA
China
12,055
188
Xinjiang
2,725
8,408.0
6.3%
526
2,536
6,523.0
6.3%
Gansu
1,733
4,894.8
7.7%
374
1,453
3,665.1
7.7%
282
Total
4,458
181
13,302.8
342,0
6.8%
6.5%
900
22
3,989
168
10,188.1
344,7
6.8%
6.2%
693
21
35
4,674
19,1
13,663.9
12.0%
6.8%
2
924
30
4,187
16,8
10,549.6
12.0%
6.8%
2
716
AFRICA
456
456
955,0
955,0
15.4%
15.4%
147
147
458
458
1,002.7
1,002.7
13.8%
13.8%
138
138
Australia
454
1,044,0
12.1%
126
452
1,092.6
12.8%
140
New Zealand
350
804
573,0
1,617.0
9.8%
11.3%
56
182
360
812
694,0
1,786.6
9.5%
11.5%
66
206
48,529 100,604.2
10.3%
10,378
46,971
89,090.4
10.3%
9,139
Japan
India
ASIA
South Africa
AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA
WORLD
in italics:
corrections for 2011 as stated
in last year’s report.
* estimate
Hungary and Croatia stopped
hop growing in 2012.
Hops 12/13
11
D EVELOP M E N T
HOP A R E A U N D E R C U L T I V A T I O N in H A
70,000
60,000
58,903
57,297 56,787
56,237
53,500
52,029
50,273
50,000
50,639
49,466
50,455
48,529
46,971
40,000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
HOP P R O D U C T I O N in M T
120,000
113,669
110,000
100,000
111,175
99,214
100,604
100,932
99,899
94,385
91,584
90,000
92,266
87,056
89,090
85,585
80,000
2001
Hops 12/13
12
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2001 – 2012
HOP A LPH A P R O D U C T I O N in M T
11,000
* not taking into consideration
the quantities destroyed in
warehouse fires
10,952
10,378
10,000
10,424
9,477
9,000
8,646
9,139
8,749
8,103
8,000
7,903
7,663
7,000
7,103*
6,722
6,000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
B EE R P R O D U C T I O N I N M I LLi o n HL
1,929
1,951
2011
2012
1,863
1,900
1,819
1,800
1,833
1,787
1,696
1,700
1,600
1,552
1,603
1,479
1,500
1,424
1,443
1,400
1,300
1,200
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Hops 12/13
13
G e rman y
Area
Variety
4,199
4,000
3,984
3,674
3,500
3,419
3,000
3,244
2,500
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
Rounding differences of the
acreage may cause differences
in addition.
2011
3,129
2,634
773
729
614
220
74
8,172
220
25
245
3,164
2,422
925
213
52
4
6,780
31
15,229
+/-164
-10
9
-13
-166
17
0
-327
-30
-3
-33
-468
35
-130
-34
-19
-2
-619
8
-971
2012
2,965
2,624
782
716
448
237
74
7,845
190
22
212
2,696
2,457
795
179
33
2
6,161
39
14,258
2011
2.08
2.05
1.90
1.13
2.24
2.11
1.49
1.97
1.65
2.21
1.71
1.89
3.11
2.18
2.40
1.93
1.58
2.38
1.58
2.15
2012 2011 2012
1.87
6,492.84
5,535.96
1.86
5,386.56
4,868.83
1.74
1,470.03
1,361.32
1.32
823.88
948.23
1.97
1,376.86
883.01
2.00
464.35
474.11
1.63
110.14
120.48
1.81 16,124.66 14,191.94
1.83
362.60
346.84
2.12
55.14
46.64
1.86
417.74
393.48
2.09
5,991.35
5,643.00
3.03
7,543.93
7,442.35
2.00
2,012.13
1,587.10
2.35
511.75
421.22
2.02
100.61
66.55
4.88
6.30
9.75
2.46 16,166.07 15,169.97
0.99
48.87
38.75
2.09 32,757.34 29,794.14
Elbe-Saale Perle
Hallertau Tradition
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Northern Brewer
Total Bitter
Hallertau Magnum
Herkules
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Other
Total Elbe-Saale
153
33
8
193
125
125
868
134
63
1,066
8
1,392
-18
0
0
-17
-19
-19
-60
-7
-2
-70
-2
-108
135
33
8
176
106
106
808
127
61
996
6
1,284
2.06
1.63
1.56
1.97
1.70
1.70
2.01
2.97
2.18
2.14
1.07
2.07
1.84
1.02
1.28
1.66
1.56
1.56
2.02
2.75
1.73
2.09
0.68
1.98
314.56
53.69
11.98
380.23
212.21
212.21
1,745.54
398.48
137.48
2,281.50
8.68
2,882.62
248.69
33.74
10.25
292.68
165.37
165.37
1,629.67
348.62
105.68
2,083.97
4.10
2,546.12
Tettnang
Tettnang
Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Perle
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
High Alpha
Other
Total Tettnang
776
263
80
68
1,186
34
1
1,222
14
-25
-9
12
-7
-1
2
-7
790
238
71
80
1,179
33
3
1,215
1.27
1.40
2.14
2.08
1.41
3.38
0.52
1.46
1.17
1.38
1.73
1.73
1.29
2.77
0.24
1.32
987.52
367.95
171.09
141.71
1,668.27
114.95
0.28
1,783.50
925.59
328.48
122.80
138.30
1,515.17
91.54
0.72
1,607.43
Spalt
Spalt
Spalt Select
Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
High Alpha
Other
Total Spalt
91
99
72
64
326
40
0
366
15
-15
-15
3
-12
-3
1
-15
106
84
57
67
314
37
1
351
1.06
2.27
1.31
1.98
1.66
2.54
0.00
1.76
0.94
1.64
1.08
1.51
1.28
2.18
0.00
1.37
96.78
224.27
94.54
126.59
542.18
101.56
0.00
643.74
99.40
138.12
61.47
101.38
400.37
80.78
0.00
481.15
16
4
20
0
0
0
16
4
20
1.95
3.26
2.20
2.10
3.20
2.32
30.84
12.58
43.42
33.57
12.80
46.37
9,895
370
7,924
39
18,228
-365
-52
-693
10
-1,100
9,530
318
7,231
49
17,128
1.89
1.70
2.36
1.47
2.09
1.72 18,746.18 16,433.73
1.76
629.95
558.85
2.41 18,676.66 17,439.06
0.89
57.83
43.57
2.01 38,110.62 34,475.21
Rhen.-P./ Aroma
Bitburg
High Alpha
Total Rheinpf./Bitb.
Hops 12/13
14
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha
Production mt
Hallertau Perle
Hallertau Tradition
Hersbruck Spaet
Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Spalt Select
Saphir
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Northern Brewer
Other Bitter
Total Bitter
Hallertau Magnum
Herkules
Hallertau Taurus
Nugget
Hallertau Merkur
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Other
Total Hallertau
Alpha production in mt
4,500
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Total Aroma
Total Bitter
Total High Alpha
Total Others
GERMANY TOTAL
G e rman y
Farm Structure
There were 1,294 hop-growing farms in Germany in the
reporting period. The downward trend thus continued,
with 83 (or 6 %) fewer than in the previous year.
In the Hallertau region alone, 73 producers stopped
farming hops (-6.5 %). Hop acreage also decreased by
the same percentage. The average acreage cultivated
by hop farms in Germany was 13.2 ha, with farms in
the Hallertau region averaging 13.6 ha. In both cases,
these figures remained unchanged.
Growth, Crop Estimate and Weights
The winter of 2011/2012 began with mild conditions
and plentiful rainfall in December. These mild and
humid conditions continued into January, with the
result that the water supply in the soil was fully
replenished. In early February 2012 a 14-day cold
period began, with temperatures falling to below
–20 °C. While the hop plants in the Hallertau and
Tettnang regions survived this period unscathed
thanks to the protection of the snow cover, severe
black frosts in the eastern Elbe-Saale region caused
extensive winterkill damage.
As in the previous year, a period of unusually warm and
dry weather conditions in March caused the soil to dry
out rapidly, allowing the spring work to be carried out
in perfect conditions from the middle of the month.
However, in the last week of April, rising temperatures
accelerated the development of the hop plants and
led to rapid vertical growth which made it necessary
to train the shoots under considerable time pressure
in some cases. Most of the plants had been strung
by the second week of May, without any additional
delay. In the second half of May, growing conditions
were favourable, with isolated thundery showers and
otherwise only a slight amount of rainfall. This was
followed in June by abundant rainfall which provided
the hop plants with a sufficient supply of water. By
mid-month most of the hop varieties had reached trellis
height. Plant development was therefore well within
the long-term average. Due to rising temperatures
towards the end of June there were widespread cases
of infestation by common spider mites. From early July
initial symptoms of wilt could be observed again this
year, but the extent of infestation was in most cases
significantly lower than in the previous two years.
One reason for this was the above-average incidence
of rainfall in August. This provided a sufficient supply
of water, but at the same time created favourable
conditions for downy mildew infection, which made it
necessary to take intensive measures to protect the
hop plants.
On 23 August, a thunderstorm with gale-force winds
and hail caused damage in the northern part of the
Tettnang region. Hop plants covering an area of
approx. 250 ha were affected to varying degrees, with
approx. 40 ha suffering severe damage.
Towards the end of August, the development of the
hop plants was still within the long-term average
and picking of the early-maturing varieties began
from 25 August. Thanks to optimum weather
conditions, the hops could be brought in with high
visual quality.
The volume harvested in 2012 was 34,475 mt, which
was very close to the official estimate of August 2012.
Compared with the previous year, the volume produced
was 3,635 mt, or 9.5 %, lower.
In the last five years the acreage developed as follows:
Variety
2008
ha
2009
ha
2010
ha
2011
ha
2012
ha
Perle
Hallertau Tradition
Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Tettnang
Hersbruck Spaet
Spalt Select
Saphir
Spalt
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Northern Brewer
Other Bitter
Total Bitter
Hallertau Magnum
Herkules
Hallertau Taurus
Nugget
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Other
3,297
2,503
2,034
731
740
842
187
90
77
10,502
438
32
471
4,277
1,868
1,140
281
120
7,686
37
3,380
2,605
1,150
765
768
841
185
84
87
9,866
401
27
427
4,266
2,388
1,106
279
106
8,145
34
3,403
2,624
1,069
772
758
801
196
91
87
9,800
375
27
402
4,202
2,542
1,054
266
89
8,152
33
3,396
2,757
1,065
776
776
719
225
91
89
9,895
345
25
370
4,039
2,614
953
244
75
7,924
39
3,203
2,748
1,012
790
785
538
253
106
96 1)
9,530
296
22 2)
318
3,509
2,642
821
207
51 3)
7,231
49 4)
GERMANY TOTAL
18,695
18,472
18,386
18,228
17,128
Percentage per variety
group in 2012:
Aroma varieties 56 %
Bitter varieties 2 %
High alpha varieties 42 %
Rounding differences of the
acreage may cause differences
in addition.
1) Other aroma varieties
include: Hersbruck Pure, Opal,
Saaz, Smaragd
2) Other bitter varieties
include: Brewers Gold
3) Other high alpha varieties
include: Hallertau Merkur,
Target, Zeus
4) Others include: Record,
others/breeding selections
Hops 12/13
15
G e rman y
Variety table page 15
Acreage and Variety Development
Acreage in Germany fell for the fourth year in
succession. Compared to the previous year, the
reduction amounted to 1,100 ha, or more than 6 %.
The total hop acreage of 17,128 ha in 2012 represents
the lowest level since Germany was reunified in 1989.
The decline in acreage was mainly caused by clearances
among the high alpha varieties Hallertau Magnum
(-530 ha = 13 %) and Hallertau Taurus (-132 ha =
14 %) as well as among the aroma varieties Perle
(-193 ha = 6 %) and Spalt Select (-181 ha = 25 %).
In total, the decline in acreage was 365 ha (3.7 %) in
the aroma variety group, 52 ha (14.1 %) among the
bitter varieties and 693 (8.7 %) among the high alpha
varieties.
Contract Market
After the close of hop year 2011, the growers in the
Hallertau region received their first offers of contracts
in March 2012. The hop traders were interested
in forward contracts for the varieties Hersbruck,
Herkules and Hallertau Taurus. In May and again
in August the prices for high alpha varieties were
raised, depending on the term of the contract. Price
adjustments and a widening of the variety range in
September proved highly successful in encouraging
growers to sell. The traders took out contracts on
significant quantities. Purchasing of limited quantities
of Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops continued throughout
the winter in the Hallertau region. Selected growers
were offered a contract price of 6.00 EUR/kg for crop
years 2014, 2015 and 2016. In February 2013, new
prices were offered for Hersbruck and Saphir hops.
There were no changes in the remaining contractual
offers for the varieties Hallertau Tradition, Perle,
Hallertau Magnum, Hallertau Taurus and Herkules
to the terms offered in autumn 2012.
One hop trader offered selected growers purchase
contracts for their total harvested volume in crop
year 2013, with specified minimum and maximum
prices. These terms were offered for the following
varieties: Hersbruck (min. 3.50 EUR/kg, max. 4.50
EUR/kg), Perle (min. 2.00 EUR/kg, max. 3.20 EUR/
kg), Hallertau Tradition (min. 2.50 EUR/kg, max.
3.70 EUR/kg), Hallertau Taurus and Herkules
(min. 13.00 EUR/kg alpha acid, max. 17.00 EUR/kg
alpha acid). The prices for the varieties Hersbruck,
Spalt Select, Hallertau Tradition, Perle and
Nugget were adjusted again in April. The prices for
Hallertau Magnum and for Herkules and Hallertau
Taurus were the same as those offered at the end of
September 2012.
In the Tettnang region, forward contract negotiations
also began in March 2012. In autumn 2012 traders
were primarily interested in the Tettnang variety.
The terms offered for Herkules hops were the same
as those offered in the Hallertau region. The Tettnang
growers were offered the opportunity of forward
contracts for the Hallertau Mittelfrueh variety from
crop year 2015.
Contractual offers – an overview
Area / Time
Variety names:
Hallertau Magnum (HM)
Hallertau Mittelfrueh (HA)
Hallertau Taurus (TU)
Hallertau Tradition (HT)
Herkules (HS)
Hersbruck (HE)
Nugget (NU)
Perle (PE)
Saphir (SR)
Spalt Select (SE)
Tettnang (TE)
Hops 12/13
16
Hallertau
March 2012
Variety
HE
HS/TU
Begin. of Sept. 2012 HS/TU
End of Sept. 2012
HE
SE
SR
HT
PE
HM
HS/TU
February 2013
HE
HE
SR
April 2013
HE
SE
HT
PE
NU
NU
Tettnang
March 2012
TE
HA
Sept./Oct. 2012
TE
HA
Price basis
EUR/kg
EUR/kg α
EUR/kg α
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg α
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg α
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
EUR/kg
2012
10.00
12.00
6.30
4.70
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
3.60
12.50
13.50
3.50
3.30
3.70
3.70
15.00
16.00
3.70
3.50
3.80
3.80
15.50
18.00
4.00
3.70
3.90
2.50
2.20
15.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.30
3.50
3.00
2.50
28.00
3.10
3.00
2.70
17.00
4.20
4.20
4.00
4.30
3.60
3.00
3.00
29.00
3.20
3.50
3.00
19.00
4.40
4.20
4.00
4.30
3.70
3.50
3.50
30.00
3.30
3.90
16.00
18.00
4.00
3.80
4.00
3.70
3.80
4.00
17.00
18.50
4.10
3.90
4.00
3.80
4.00
18.00
19.00
4.10
4.00
4.00
3.90
4.00
19.00
19.50
4.10
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
20.00
20.00
4.10
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
20.00
21.00
21.00
22.00
23.00
4.20
4.20
4.20
4.20
4.20
4.40
3.80
3.70
3.80
31.00
3.40
4.40
3.90
3.80
4.00
32.00
3.50
4.50
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
4.00
6.30
4.70
6.70
6.30
4.70
6.70
6.40
6.70
5.00
6.70
5.00
6.70
5.00
6.70
5.00
6.70
5.00
6.70
5.00
G e rman y
Spot Market 2012
Purchasing of non-contracted hops began with offers
for all varieties in the first week of September. At the
same time, as in previous years, the major hop trading
companies offered growers the opportunity of placing
their unsold hops in their marketing pools at advance
payment prices. Within only a few weeks most of the
hops had been sold or had been consigned to the various
marketing pools. Purchasing terms at fixed prices on a
stable price basis were as follows:
Hallertau Mittelfrueh 5.00 EUR/kg, Spalt Select 2.50
EUR/kg, Hallertau Tradition 1.80 EUR/kg, Hersbruck
1.80 EUR/kg to 2.50 EUR/kg, Perle 1.50 EUR/kg, Saphir
3.10 EUR/kg, Opal 1.80 EUR/kg, Northern Brewer 2.00
EUR/kg. 11.00 EUR/kg of alpha acid was offered across
the board for the high alpha varieties.
In the Tettnang region, the Tettnang variety was
purchased at a price of 6.50 EUR/kg from early
September 2012. In early October the price offered
rose to 6.80 EUR/kg. No fixed prices were offered to
the Tettnang growers for the Hallertau Mittelfrueh
variety. Depending on the trader, the advance payment
prices paid for this variety within the framework of the
purchasing initiatives and pools were between 2.00
EUR/kg and 3.00 EUR/kg. At the time of going to press,
these hop purchases had in most cases not yet been
settled.
The prices for contracted and non-contracted hops
reflect the extent to which overproduction in recent
years has affected the hop market, particularly in the
high alpha segment.
Alpha Acids
The average alpha acid levels in the hops harvested in
2012 were mostly above the mean value of the last 10
years, although for a considerable number of varieties
the figure was below the average of the last 5 years.
Allowing for the production volumes per variety, the
alpha yield amounted to 3,674 mt. The volume of alpha
produced was therefore 525 mt, or 12.5 %, lower than
in crop year 2011, which was a very good year in terms
of alpha acid values and yields per hectare.
Details of the alpha acid levels of the main German varieties:
Alpha acid values as is, as per EBC 7.4, in freshly harvested hops. All other alpha acid values mentioned in the
Barth Report were recorded on the basis of % as is, EBC 7.4 ToP (Time of Processing).
Area
Variety
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Hallertau Hallertau Mittelfrueh 3.1
Hersbruck Spaet
2.1
Saphir
–
Opal
–
Smaragd
–
Perle
3.9
Spalt Select
3.2
Hallertau Tradition
4.1
Northern Brewer
6.0
Hallertau Magnum
11.7
Nugget
8.5
Hallertau Taurus
12.3
Hallertau Merkur
–
Herkules
–
Elbe-Saale Hallertau Magnum
10.2
Tettnang Tettnang
2.6
Hallertau Mittelfrueh 3.1
Spalt
Spalt
3.1
4.3
3.0
3.4
–
–
6.4
4.9
6.3
9.8
14.8
10.6
16.5
13.5
–
14.0
4.7
5.0
4.4
4.4
3.5
4.1
–
–
7.8
5.2
6.3
9.8
13.8
11.3
16.2
13.3
–
14.4
4.5
4.8
4.3
2.4
2.2
3.2
–
–
6.2
4.3
4.8
6.4
12.8
10.2
15.1
10.3
–
12.4
2.2
2.6
2.8
The alpha acid table shows the average alpha acid values
measured in freshly harvested hops by members of
“Arbeitsgruppe Hopfenanalyse” (AHA) on the fixed date
of 15 October. The members of AHA are the in-house
laboratories of the German hop-processing plants, the
Bavarian state institute of agriculture's hop department
(Hüll), BLQ Weihenstephan, VLB Berlin and Labor
Veritas (Zurich).
These values constitute the basis for any adjustments
3.9
2.6
4.6
7.4
6.1
7.9
4.7
6.0
9.1
12.6
10.7
16.1
13.0
16.1
13.3
4.0
4.3
4.6
4.4
2.9
5.1
9.4
6.7
8.5
5.4
7.5
10.5
15.7
12.0
17.9
15.0
17.3
12.2
4.2
4.7
4.1
4.2
3.4
4.5
9.0
6.4
9.2
5.7
6.8
10.4
14.6
12.8
17.1
14.8
17.3
13.7
4.2
4.5
4.4
3.8
3.5
4.5
8.6
7.4
7.5
5.7
6.5
9.7
13.3
11.5
16.3
12.6
16.1
13.1
4.0
4.2
3.7
5.0
4.5
5.3
9.7
8.0
9.6
6.4
7.1
10.9
14.9
13.0
17.4
15.2
17.2
13.7
5.1
5.1
4.8
4.6
3.0
4.4
9.0
6.0
8.1
5.1
6.7
9.9
14.3
12.2
17.0
14.0
17.1
14.1
4.3
4.7
4.1
Ø5
Ø 10
Years
Years
4.4
3.5
4.8
9.1
6.9
8.6
5.7
6.9
10.3
14.6
12.3
17.1
14.3
17.0
13.4
4.4
4.6
4.2
4.0
3.1
–
–
–
7.5
5.1
6.2
9.3
13.9
11.3
16.2
–
–
13.1
4.0
4.3
4.0
of supply contracts containing “alpha clauses” between
the brewing industry and the hop industry. The alpha
clause was devised jointly by the German brewers'
association and the hop industry association and was
applied for the first time as a result of the 2003 harvest.
It is a contractual provision used solely in forward
contracts for aroma varieties. The average values serve
as the basis for parties concluding new supply contracts
containing an alpha clause.
2012 crop with good
average alpha acid levels
Values in %
Hops 12/13
17
C z e c h R e p ub l ic
Variety
300
300
250
283
263
265
200
178
150
100
2008 2009 2010 2011
+/-233
-8
-27
10
-258
1
0
1
-9
2012
3,806
242
229
21
4,298
53
3
56
12
2011
1.24
1.95
1.83
1.34
1.31
1.63
1.07
1.60
0.48
2012
0.92
1.66
1.51
0.80
0.99
1.20
1.37
1.21
1.12
2011
5,020.2
487.8
467.2
14.7
5,989.9
84.7
3.2
87.9
10.1
2012
3,493.6
402.2
344.7
16.7
4,257.2
63.4
4.1
67.5
13.4
CZECH REPUBLIC TOTAL
4,632
-266
4,366
1.31
0.99
6,087.9
4,338.1
2012
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
A reduction in area was reported from all three growing
regions: Saaz -116 ha, Tirschitz -92 ha und Auscha
-58 ha. The decline mainly affected the Saaz variety.
In February, a long period of severe frost exacerbated
by a lack of protective snow cover led to widespread
winterkill in hop plants. As a result, in some locations
shoots failed to grow in more than 25 % of the hop
plants. Temperatures were above average for the entire
duration of the vegetation period and there was a
lack of extensive rainfall. However, at the burr stage
and at the onset of cone development the hops were
growing well. From the end of July, however, there
was a complete drought, with temperatures above
30 °C. At the start of picking the growers stopped the
harvest over the middle of the day due to scorching
temperatures of up to 37 °C. The high temperatures
and drought prevented the cones from ripening fully,
which had a corresponding impact on production
volume.
Although the 2012 alpha acid levels did not match the
very good values of the preceding year, they were still
above the long-term average (2011 results in brackets):
Saaz 3.4 % (3.7 %), Premiant 7.2 % (7.9 %) and
Sládek 6.3 % (6.5 %). The very low crop yield and the
slightly lower alpha levels led to a 32 % drop in the
alpha yield compared to the previous year.
18
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
4,039
250
256
11
4,556
52
3
55
21
Farm Structure
Both the acreage and the number of growers have been
declining since 2001. 118 farms remained in 2012,
five fewer than in the previous year. The average hop
acreage per grower dropped from 37.7 ha in 2011 to its
current level of 37.0 ha.
Hops 12/13
Saaz
Sládek
Premiant
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Agnus
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Other
Alpha production in mt
350
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Market Situation
On the assumption of a normal harvest, approx. 95 %
of the crop had been sold by forward contract before
the 2012 harvest. The contract prices ranged between
140 and 190 CZK/kg (5.60 to 7.60 EUR/kg) for the
Saaz variety and between 90 and 120 CZK/kg (3.60 to
4.80 EUR/kg) for the Premiant and Sládek varieties.
Due to the below-average yields there were next to no
non-contracted hops and consequently there was no
spot market. The majority of growers were unable to
meet the existing forward contracts and suffered major
financial losses as a result. The entire Czech hop stock
was sold out for the first time since crop year 2008.
At the beginning of October 2012 the Czech hop
producers were already being offered forward contracts
for the Saaz variety at contract prices of between
160 and 180 CZK/kg (6.40 EUR/kg and 7.20 EUR/kg),
starting with the 2013 crop and running until the
2017 crop year. So many contracts were concluded that
forward contract rates reached 100 % for the first two
years and 95 % or 90 % for the subsequent years.
The hop acreage in the Czech Republic is likely to change
only very slightly by the 2013 harvest. Extensive new
plantings of the Saaz variety are planned for autumn
2013.
Several new aroma varieties have been licensed in
recent years, among them a variety called Kazbek.
Its flavour hop characteristics make it an interesting
variety which deserves particularly close attention.
P o l and
Variety
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
Lubelski
Perle
Hallertau Tradition
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Marynka
Other Bitter
Total Bitter
Hallertau Magnum
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
2011
248
96
68
7
419
557
43
600
522
23
545
+/49
-8
11
0
52
-94
7
-87
-12
-7
-19
2012
297
88
79
7
471
463
50
513
510
16
526
2011
1.11
1.54
1.56
0.74
1.28
1.62
1.14
1.59
1.73
1.54
1.72
2012
1.24
0.95
1.28
0.60
1.18
0.95
1.03
0.96
1.49
0.54
1.47
2011
276.2
147.4
105.9
5.2
534.7
902.4
49.1
951.5
904.3
35.5
939.8
2012
368.1
83.6
100.9
4.2
556.8
439.1
51.5
490.6
762.2
8.6
770.8
POLAND TOTAL
1,564
-54
1,510
1.55
1.20
2,426.0
1,818.2
Farm Structure
In crop year 2012, 665 growers were involved in
hop production. This was 24 fewer farms than in
the previous year. As total acreage declined at the
same time, the average hop-growing area per farm
remained constant at 2.3 ha.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
The largest contributor to the reduction in area was
the bitter variety Marynka (17 %). In contrast, the
acreage planted with the aroma variety Lubelski
increased by 20 %. Changes in acreage across all
varieties amounted to a decline of 3 %. Here it
should be noted that an unknown number of trellis
systems were not strung in 2012, which means that
the specified area does not refer solely to productive
acreage.
In spring the growing conditions for hops were
unfavourable, with the weather being too dry and
cold. It was only in June that there was any quantity
of rain worth mentioning, and it turned warmer. Very
hot weather followed at the beginning of July. The
temperatures of up to 40 °C were not conducive to
optimal growth of the hop plants which were already
suffering from delayed development. It was only at
the end of July that the badly needed rainfall arrived.
The growers were not happy with the yields. At least
the alpha acid levels reached values which were
mostly significantly above the long-term average,
with the exception of the Marynka variety. The
results for the variety groups in 2012 were as follows:
Aroma varieties 4.7 % (2011: 4.9 %), bitter/high
alpha varieties 10.4 % (2011: 10.2 %). The alpha
yield declined by 28 % in comparison with the two
previous crop years.
Market Situation
The proportion of the 2012 crop committed by forward
contract was around 60 to 70 %, although the supply
arrangements made between the Polish dealers and the
Alpha production in mt
350
312
300
250
256
219
200
150
140
157
100
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
Rounding differences of the
growers did not include fixed price agreements. The acreage may cause differences
final contract price across all varieties was between in addition.
11.00 and 14.00 PLN/kg (2.70 to 3.40 EUR/kg).
Due to the low yields, the entire crop of Lubelski was
virtually sold out. Other varieties were purchased for
3.00 to 6.00 PLN/kg (0.75 to 1.45 EUR/kg) in a very
weak market. There were no buyers interested in the
Marynka variety, which left stocks unsold in spring
totalling 30 to 40 mt.
Both the yields and the alpha levels of the Polish
hops are too low to be internationally competitive.
Scarcely any hops are exported nowadays. The
growers continued to protest about the attitude of
both policy-makers and breweries with the slogan
“Polish hops in Polish beer”.
More farms are likely to be abandoned due to the lack
of economic viability in hop production, which will
result in a further decline in acreage. Large numbers
of forward contracts for the Marynka variety expired
after the 2012 harvest and could not be extended due
to the lack of demand. This will result in a decline
in acreage of approx. 60 ha for this variety. In many
cases, the variety Lubelski has been planted instead.
Nevertheless, overall acreage can be assumed to
have declined by approx. 60 ha in 2013. The forward
contract rate is estimated to be about 75 %.
The Polish hop-breeding institute IUNG presented
a new high alpha variety named Magnat. This is a
further selection from the variety Hallertau Magnum
(mother) crossed with a Polish wild hop. There are
very high expectations of this variety, but almost
no experience from field trials. However, from the
available research findings it can be concluded that
this variety will not come up to the yields of new
high alpha varieties from other countries. Magnat
has the potential to be better than the Hallertau
Magnum grown in Poland and could constitute a
major breakthrough, at least for Polish hop growing.
Hops 12/13
19
S l o v e nia
Variety
Alpha production in mt
200
150
190
166
173
175
100
103
50
Aurora
Styrian Golding (Celeia)
Savinjski Golding
Bobek
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Hallertau Magnum
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
SLOVENIA TOTAL
0
2008 2009 2010 2011
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
+/-158
51
-36
-32
-5
-180
-34
-5
-39
2012
654
230
133
84
15
1,116
25
19
44
2011
1.92
2.25
1.08
1.87
0.99
1.84
1.19
0.83
1.08
2012
1.38
1.46
0.97
1.59
0.46
1.35
1.17
1.14
1.15
2011
1,558.2
402.8
182.7
216.9
19.7
2,380.3
70.0
20.0
90.0
2012
901.1
335.2
128.8
133.4
6.9
1,505.4
29.2
21.6
50.8
1,379
-219
1,160
1.79
1.34
2,470.3
1,556.2
2012
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
The total acreage declined by 16 %, with the acreage of
one variety, Styrian Golding (Celeia), expanding by
28 %, while that of all the other varieties was reduced.
The largest reduction in area was attributed to the
Aurora variety.
Up to the end of July there was every indication that
production volume would be normal. From then on,
however, there was hardly any rainfall and it turned
very hot. Throughout August the temperature was
often over 35 °C. The weather conditions prevented
the hops from developing normally and from reaching
optimum harvest maturity. The result was a yield per
hectare which was far below average.
Likewise the alpha levels of the old regional varieties
were in some cases significantly below their long-term
averages. Savinjski Golding only achieved an alpha
level of 2.8 % (2011: 3.8 %), while the alpha content
recorded for Styrian Golding (Celeia) was 3.6 %
(2011: 4.1 %). The Aurora variety also fell short of its
long-term average alpha content, with 8.2 % (2011:
9.1 %). Bobek was the only variety to achieve an
above-average result, with 5.5 % (2011: 5.7 %). The
conditions prevailing during the harvest led to a very
high proportion of cone bracts in the crop.
The smaller area, lower yields per hectare and lower
alpha levels resulted in a 46 % reduction in alpha yield
compared to the previous year.
20
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
812
179
169
116
20
1,296
59
24
83
Farm Structure
After three years during which the number of hop
producers had stayed constant, four farms ceased
production. The remaining 129 growers farmed a hop
acreage averaging 9.0 ha, compared to 10.4 ha the
previous year.
Hops 12/13
Market Situation
Before the 2012 harvest a high proportion of the
Styrian Golding (Celeia) crop was already under
forward contract. The reduction in acreage over recent
years and the low yield in crop year 2012 contributed
to a stabilisation of the market situation for the
varieties Savinjski Golding and Bobek. The available
non-contracted quantities of these aroma varieties
were quickly sold out. Even stocks from previous years
could be sold due to the high demand. The situation
for the Aurora variety was quite different: despite the
reduction in acreage already carried out and the low
yields in crop year 2012, at the beginning of April
2013 the growers still had unsold stocks totalling
approx. 200 mt. The high financial losses suffered due
to growing Aurora could not be compensated for by
the relatively good proceeds from sales of other aroma
varieties.
In Slovenia the total acreage remains unchanged. In
2013 the entire Savinjski Golding crop has been sold
through forward contracts. The Slovenian hop growers’
greatest hope lies in the continued market expansion
for the variety Styrian Golding (Celeia). An increase
in area for this variety of approx. 80 ha in 2013 seems
realistic. The yield from the existing acreage is probably
covered by forward contracts. The total acreage for the
variety Aurora is to be reduced by approx. 10 %.
Despite the slight upturn in the market for the aroma
varieties (with the exception of Aurora) this hopgrowing country is facing grave difficulties. It is very
difficult for the farmers to give up hop production. In
many cases the investments made over the last few
years have been too high and the long tradition of
hop growing is held in very great esteem. However,
the hop growers can no longer afford to produce for
the spot market. Production in the coming years is
therefore likely to adapt increasingly to the forwardcontract volume.
ENGLAND
Variety
Golding
First Gold
Fuggle
EK Golding
Challenger
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Target
Pilgrim
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
ENGLAND TOTAL
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
185
149
89
82
79
256
840
102
88
84
274
+/-10
-8
6
-6
-17
-3
-38
-4
-2
-16
-22
2012
175
141
95
76
62
253
802
98
86
68
252
2011
1.21
0.74
1.53
1.78
1.52
1.28
1.26
1.34
1.42
1.21
1.33
2012
1.32
0.88
1.57
1.87
1.99
1.23
1.35
1.53
1.46
1.52
1.50
2011
223.3
109.7
136.4
146.2
119.7
326.6
1,061.9
136.6
125.4
101.5
363.5
2012
231.3
124.3
148.8
142.4
123.2
312.2
1,082.2
150.2
125.5
103.1
378.8
1,114
-60
1,054
1.28
1.39
1,425.4
1,461.0
Farm Structure
In the county of Yorkshire one farmer has gone into
hop production for the first time. As a result, in crop
year 2012, there were 56 producers farming an area
averaging 18.8 ha, compared with an average of 20 ha
the previous year.
the long-term average (comparable values for the 2011
crop in brackets): Golding 5.6 % (4.7 %), EK Golding
6.4 % (5.7 %), First Gold 7.9 % (7.4 %), Fuggle 5.0 %
(4.8 %), Challenger 9.0 % (7.3 %), Target 11.8 % (10.3
%). Despite the almost identical volumes harvested in
2011 and 2012, overall alpha yield rose by 14 %.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
Apart from the Fuggle variety, which expanded by 6 ha,
all the other varieties showed a decline in acreage. The
total acreage strung with hops declined by 6 %.
Spring began with very dry and very warm weather
conditions, and the plants grew quickly. However,
towards the end of April exceedingly cold and wet
weather set in. Apart from a short period in July when
flowering began, temperatures remained below the
norm and there was a lot of rain. It was the wettest
summer in the United Kingdom for 100 years. Although
the number of sunshine hours up until harvest was
low, the cones developed higher alpha acid levels than
Market Situation
At the start of the harvest, around 80 % of the expected
yield was under forward contract at prices averaging
7.00 GBP/kg (8.70 EUR/kg) for aroma varieties and
5.00 GBP/kg (6.20 EUR/kg) for high alpha varieties.
At the time of reporting, a small quantity of aroma
spot hops remained unsold. The spot hops sold were
traded at average prices of 5.00 GBP/kg (6.20 EUR/kg)
for aroma varieties and 4.00 GBP/kg (5.00 EUR/kg) for
high alpha varieties.
In spring the contract rate for the 2013 crop was
estimated at around 70 %. The acreage is due to remain
unchanged.
Alpha production in mt
140
120
114
100
80
118
114
104
93
60
40
0
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
S p ain
Variety
Aroma
Nugget
Columbus
Hallertau Magnum
Total High Alpha
Test Varieties
SPAIN TOTAL
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
1
503
26
3
532
0
+/0
-15
20
1
6
2
2012
1
488
46
4
538
2
2011
0.40
1.78
1.74
1.57
1.77
0.00
2012
0.40
1.96
1.38
1.45
1.91
0.65
2011
0.4
894.1
45.3
4.7
944.1
0.0
2012
0.4
957.8
63.7
5.8
1,027.3
1.3
533
8
541
1.77
1.90
944.5
1,029.0
Alpha production in mt
140
129
122
120
121
118
100
102
80
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
Hops 12/13
21
SPAIN
Farm Structure
The number of hop growers decreased by 3 in the 2012
crop year, leaving 237 active producers. There was
a simultaneous expansion in hop-growing acreage,
however, which led to the average area per grower
rising slightly to 2.3 ha.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
While the acreage of the most widely planted variety,
Nugget, fell by 3 % in comparison to the previous
year, that of the Columbus variety increased by 77 %.
The changes in varietal planting patterns resulted in
a slight increase in total acreage of 1.5 %. The winter
and spring were very dry. Spring work started late.
The weather in July and August was generally very
hot. However, the yield per hectare for all varieties
was above that of the previous year and equal to the
long-term average at 1.9 mt. The varieties Summit
and Millennium planted for experimental purposes
produced a crop for the first time. The Spanish growers
have high hopes for these varieties. The alpha acid
content for the Nugget variety remained slightly
below its long-term average at 11.2 % (2011: 12.7 %).
The total alpha volume was only 2.5 % below the alpha
yield produced in crop year 2011.
Market Situation
Before the 2012 harvest began, the growers had
already sold almost the entire production volume to
the domestic brewing industry at an average price of
3.50 EUR/kg for cone hops. At the time of reporting,
a small quantity of 28 mt remained unsold.
Due to farmland reallocation measures, the hopgrowing area available for the 2013 crop will decline
to approx. 480 to 490 ha. The area is expected to
increase again in 2014.
F ranc e
Area
Variety
Alpha production in mt
Alsace
60
50
40
36
33
36
40
30
Nord
27
20
10
Hallertau Tradition
Strisselspalt
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Bitter-High Alpha
Total Alsace
Aroma
Bitter-High Alpha
Total Nord
FRANCE TOTAL
2008 2009 2010 2011
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
+/-42
-23
17
-48
-7
-55
-1
-4
-6
2012
107
93
161
361
53
414
11
14
25
2011
1.68
1.63
0.70
1.32
1.26
1.31
1.28
1.45
1.35
2012
1.93
1.73
1.50
1.69
2.12
1.74
1.12
1.31
1.23
2011
250.5
189.6
100.5
540.6
75.5
616.1
15.4
26.1
41.5
2012
207.0
161.0
241.0
609.0
112.1
721.1
11.8
19.0
30.8
500
-61
439
1.32
1.71
657.6
751.9
2012
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
The acreage also declined across all varieties and
growing regions. The only expansion recorded was for
“other aroma varieties” in the Alsace growing region.
This is primarily due to the Aramis variety which is
said to have some flavour hops characteristics. The
acreage for this variety rose by 32 ha to its current
52 ha.
The weather conditions in May and June, which turned
out to be cooler and somewhat wetter than usual, had
a beneficial effect on the development of the varieties
Savinjski Golding and Fuggle. It remained very cool
22
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
149
116
144
409
60
469
12
18
31
Farm Structure
There was a major decline in the number of growers
Rounding differences of the
in France. In the 2011 crop year there were 83 farms
acreage may cause differences growing hops, but by 2012 this figure had dropped to
in addition.
58, representing a decline of 30 %. The average acreage
per producer rose from 6.0 ha to 7.6 ha.
Hops 12/13
and wet in July and early August, but neither the
production volume nor the alpha acid content suffered
as a result. In fact, the opposite was the case. A slightly
above-average yield and, as in the preceding year,
above-average alpha levels were achieved. The values
recorded in the 2012 crop year for the variety groups
were 4.3 % (2011: 4.5 %) for the aroma varieties
and 9.9 % (2011: 10.8 %) for the bitter/high alpha
varieties. Due to the increased production volume, the
alpha yield rose by 11 %.
Market Situation
At the time of picking, only 40 % of the yield was
under forward contract. In April 2013 approx. 120 mt
of the 2012 harvest remained unsold.
Little change is expected in the total acreage. However,
approx. 70 ha of the Hallertau Tradition variety is
being cleared and replaced with Strisselspalt hops for
which contracts have already been concluded.
C O U N T R Y S PE C I A L - B e l gium
Variety Group
Aroma
High Alpha
BELGIUM TOTAL
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha Production mt
2011
60
121
+/5
-28
2012
65
93
2011
1.19
1.51
2012
1.34
1.58
2011
71.6
183.1
2012
87.4
147.0
181
-23
158
1.41
1.48
254.7
234.4
General
Poperinge was and remains today the centre of
Belgian hop growing. The town undertakes a variety
of initiatives to maintain this old tradition. For
instance, the national hop museum has recently
been expanded. Another example was the initiative
to develop a logo for Belgian hops. Breweries using
at least 50 % Belgian hops in their beers are entitled
to display the “Houblon Belge – Belgian Hops” logo
developed in 2011, thus drawing attention to the use
of quality Belgian hops. Belgium is one of the nations
with the largest variety of beers worldwide.
Farm Structure
Both the acreage farmed and the number of hop
growers are declining. The 23 active producers in
crop year 2012 farmed an average area of 6.9 ha per
farm. In spite of this small scale, the growers have
difficulty in agreeing upon a common way forward.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
The overall area declined by 13 %, with cultivation of
aroma varieties expanding slightly and the area under
high alpha varieties being reduced. There was heavy
rainfall over protracted periods during the growing
season. The production yield was adversely affected
by strong winds which made it necessary to retrain
the shoots several times (up to 7 times, depending
on the variety) and also resulted in laterals being
broken off. An alpha acid content averaging 5.8 %
was recorded for the aroma varieties. The high
alpha varieties achieved an average value of 12.0 %.
Varietal Range
Belgium has a very large range of hop varieties most
of which originate from England. Out of a total of
24 hop varieties, 12 belong to the group of aroma
hops and 12 to the bitter/high alpha hops. The range
of varieties is the result of growing and marketing
efforts to find varieties which are suited to Belgium.
There are three dominant varieties: the high alpha
varieties Target (41 ha) and Hallertau Magnum
(37 ha) and the aroma variety Challenger (29 ha).
The Country Special report
features a hop-growing country
to which we would not normally
devote a separate country
report due to its small size.
Alpha production in mt
40
34
32
30
27
24
20
23
10
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
Market Situation
Only approx. 60 % of the expected production volume
in crop year 2012 was under forward contract. In
April 2013 around 60 mt of Target hops which had
already been processed into pellets remained unsold.
Aroma varieties can mostly be marketed at adequate
prices. Bitter and high alpha varieties, on the other
hand, are generally difficult to sell and the prices are
also very low due to the lower alpha yield per hectare
compared to other producer countries. Growers were
unable to conclude longer-term forward contracts.
Only small amounts of the 2013 aroma hop crop could
be sold. The growers are planning to clear bitter and
high alpha varieties. These will be partly replaced
with aroma varieties, particularly those with flavour
hop characteristics.
USA
Farm Structure
The number of growers (decision making entities) in
the US for crop 2012 increased to 76 from 74 the year
before. One of the new entrants was actually a former
hop grower who returned to production after idling his
farm for the past three years. The other was the result
of a partial transfer of a farm to the next generation.
Despite the addition of two entities, the average US
farm size increased to 170 ha from 163 ha in 2011 as a
result of an overall expansion in acreage.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
The USDA acreage survey for crop 2012 showed an
expansion of 868 ha, or a 7 % increase compared to
the area strung for harvest in the previous year. This
was the first time US acreage had increased since 2008.
Between crop 2008 (the high point of hop acreage in
recent history) and crop 2011, the industry had taken
out about 4,500 ha or 27 % of its planted yards.
Hops 12/13
23
USA
Area
Alpha production in mt
4,985
5.000
3.750
3,767
4,180
3,624
3,490
2.500
1.250
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
The conversion of acres to
ha and lbs to mt results in
slight statistical variance
and rounding differences in
the figures.
*As growers in the Idaho
region have only been
registering total acreage and
total crop volume since 2002,
varietal group distribution
has been estimated.
Variety
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
2011
853
259
200
185
362
195
97
125
38
400
2,714
2,876
1,002
231
401
573
358
348
240
163
105
427
6,724
9,438
+/237
339
180
123
-82
26
121
-18
11
105
1,042
-538
99
261
-13
-187
-4
6
-26
-2
-26
83
-347
695
2012
1,090
598
380
308
280
221
218
107
49
505
3,756
2,338
1,101
492
388
386
354
354
214
161
79
510
6,377
10,133
2011
2.19
1.58
2.00
1.12
1.69
2.26
2.03
2.86
0.95
1.14
1.84
2.86
3.03
1.93
3.41
2.04
3.09
2.21
2.92
2.87
2.32
1.78
2.72
2.47
2012
2011
2012
2.08
1,869.4
2,264.7
1.52
408.0
907.7
1.88
399.5
715.9
1.44
207.7
443.0
1.52
612.4
426.6
2.20
441.5
486.7
1.50
196.5
327.5
2.64
357.9
282.1
1.40
36.1
68.8
1.28
457.2
647.4
1.75 4,986.2 6,570.4
2.63
8,218.2
6,138.5
2.34
3,040.2
2,572.1
1.90
445.8
936.4
2.97
1,365.6
1,150.6
1.95
1,168.6
753.8
2.97
1,107.0
1,052.6
1.88
768.9
666.4
2.96
701.8
634.0
2.26
468.3
363.2
2.20
243.1
174.1
2.02
759.3
1,030.7
2.43 18,286.8 15,472.4
2.18 23,273.0 22,042.8
315
106
87
37
75
44
40
28
4
107
843
582
98
47
131
858
1,701
51
34
4
47
0
-10
-6
-3
0
41
158
73
-27
0
-96
-50
108
366
140
91
84
75
34
34
25
4
148
1,001
655
71
47
35
808
1,809
1.93
1.82
2.11
2.01
1.69
1.48
1.80
1.85
2.23
2.08
1.90
2.60
2.52
2.66
1.15
2.37
2.14
1.86
2.02
1.96
2.00
1.71
1.69
1.72
1.65
2.15
1.87
1.88
2.32
3.09
2.79
1.94
2.40
2.11
606.4
192.8
183.5
74.3
126.6
65.0
72.1
51.9
8.9
222.6
1,604.1
1,511.4
247.3
124.8
150.1
2,033.6
3,637.7
682.5
282.8
178.1
167.8
128.1
57.5
58.4
41.3
8.6
277.2
1,882.3
1,521.0
219.4
131.1
67.9
1,939.4
3,821.7
180
736
916
186
-121
65
366
615
981
1.50
3.00
2.70
0.85
2.61
1.95
269.7
2,204.4
2,474.1
311.2
1,606.5
1,917.7
Total Aroma*
Total High Alpha*
3,736
8,319
1,387
-519
5,123
7,800
1.84
2.71
1.71 6,860.0 8,763.9
2.44 22,524.8 19,018.3
USA TOTAL
12,055
868
12,923
2.44
2.15
Washington Cascade
Centennial
Simcoe®
Amarillo®
Willamette
Cluster
Citra®
Palisade®
Mount Hood
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
CTZ
Summit®
Chinook
Super Galena
Galena
Apollo
Nugget
Bravo
Millennium
Warrior®
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Total Washington
Oregon
Willamette
Cascade
Mount Hood
Centennial
Golding
Liberty
Perle
Tettnang
Palisade®
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Nugget
Super Galena
Millennium
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
Total Oregon
Idaho*
Total Aroma*
Total High Alpha*
Total Idaho
Crop 2012, however, was not a mere reactivation of
same acreages removed during the previous three
years. On the contrary, hop yards planted to alpha
varieties still declined by more than 500 ha in 2012
and leading this contraction was the variety complex
Hops 12/13
24
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha
Production mt
29,384.8
27,782.2
of CTZ with close to 700 ha, followed by Galena with
close to 200 ha and Bravo with approx. 50 ha. The only
alpha varieties that showed a significant expansion
were Chinook with more than 300 ha and Summit
with 100 ha.
USA
More than offsetting this trend was an expansion
of yards planted to aroma and flavour hop varieties
by nearly 1,400 ha. This increase is particularly
significant, since this expansion represented 37 %
surge in these types of hops. With crop 2012, the
average grower had planted approx. 40 % of its hop
fields to aroma/flavour hop varieties, which is up from
just 31 % the year before.
Varieties leading this shift from alpha to aroma/
flavour hops were Centennial with more than 400 ha,
Cascade with approx. 340 ha, Simcoe® with approx.
180 ha, Amarillo® with more than 120 ha, Citra® with
more than 120 ha and Crystal with more than 60 ha.
For Centennial, Amarillo®, Citra® and Crystal, this
increase in planting meant a greater than doubling
of the acreages from the previous year. Willamette,
the once dominant aroma variety in the US, slipped
to a distant third place and is now grown on less than
half of the acreage of Cascade, as further fields of this
variety were removed once again for crop 2012.
Varietal Development
Acreage for the main varieties has developed as follows over the past five years:
Variety
2008
ha
2009
ha
2010
ha
2011
ha
2012
ha
Cascade
Centennial
Willamette
Amarillo®
Simcoe®
Cluster
Citra®
Mount Hood
Crystal
Golding
Palisade®
Other Aroma
Total Aroma
Columbus-Tomahawk-Zeus (CTZ)
Summit®
Nugget
Chelan/Super Galena
Chinook
Apollo
Galena
Bravo
Millennium
Warrior®
Other High Alpha
Total High Alpha
891
102
2,985
52
174
87
1,451
5,742
5,213
972
1,318
641
167
282
1,207
90
429
159
331
10,809
900
121
2,100
49
74
207
103
1,476
5,030
5,004
1,310
1,134
887
245
302
1,083
135
365
122
500
11,087
799
177
1,349
115
96
159
46
101
93
151
668
3,754
3,510
1,261
1,003
946
254
334
841
168
253
120
219
8,909
1,002
308
677
185
200
195
97
125
54
94
129
670
3,736
3,203
1,004
999
953
308
463
614
283
210
105
177
8,319
1,343
720
646
308
382
221
218
140
118
111
111
804
5,123
2,512
1,102
1,009
928
619
445
427
237
208
79
235
7,800
USA TOTAL
16,551
16,117
12,663
12,055
12,923
The overall expansion of the production area, however,
did not translate into a higher amount of hop volume
than was harvested in 2011. Average yields declined by
12 % partly due to the high degree of newly planted
baby hops and partly due to unfavourable weather
conditions. As a result, crop 2012 fell more than 1,600
mt below crop 2011, producing only 27,782 mt of
hops. The overall reduction in volume, however, is the
combination of an approx. 3,500 decline in volume of
alpha varieties versus an approx. increase of 1,900 in
aroma/flavour hop varieties.
Despite the large scale shift of production away from
alpha varieties in favor of aroma/flavour varieties, the
US still produced close to 3,500 mt of alpha which is
Acreage for individual
varieties has been estimated
in part as Idaho only
registered total acreage
figures.
The addition of rounded
acreage figures can lead to
differences in some cases.
still significantly more alpha than was grown before
the great expansion of 2008 but approx. 275 mt less
than last year. It is important to note, however, that
alpha from the traditional alpha varieties declined by
approx. 425 mt from 2011 to 2012, whereas aroma/
flavour varieties increased by approx. 145 mt. The
alpha production from aroma/flavour varieties in crop
2012 was approx. 650 mt or about 19 % of the total
calculated crop alpha. It is questionable whether alpha
from aroma/flavour hop varieties can be accounted for
in the same manner as alpha from the traditional alpha
varieties, as the aroma/flavour hops are typically used
quite differently than the traditional alpha varieties.
Hops 12/13
25
USA
Alpha Acid Table
Variety
Willamette
Cascade
Cluster
Galena
Nugget
Columbus-Tomahawk-Zeus (CTZ)
Summit®
Bravo
Apollo
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Average
4.7%
6.2%
6.4%
11.9%
12.3%
13.3%
15.8%
15.5%
17.0%
4.3%
5.6%
7.0%
11.6%
12.2%
13.5%
14.8%
15.0%
16.5%
4.8%
6.5%
6.8%
11.5%
12.3%
14.1%
16.3%
15.0%
16.7%
5.6%
6.9%
7.3%
12.5%
13.2%
14.7%
16.1%
15.0%
16.7%
4.9%
6.7%
6.7%
12.6%
13.8%
15.3%
15.9%
15.0%
17.5%
4.9%
6.4%
6.8%
12.0%
12.8%
14.2%
15.8%
15.1%
16.9%
Crop Development
Washington: The snowpack around the reservoirs
was 108 % of normal at the beginning of the
growing season which assured adequate irrigation
water supplies for the crop. The temperatures were
warmer for most of the growing season except for
June which was cooler than normal. During this
time, these cooler temperatures created some shorter
growth for varieties that were trained late and for
baby hops that were planted late. The months of July,
August, and September had average temperatures
that were hotter than normal. In these three months,
hops bloom and develop into cones. There is some
speculation that the increase in temperature affected
cone development, as some varieties had bloom that
barely turned into cones or did not obtain the normal
cone size. The undeveloped and smaller sized cones
were thought to have had a negative effect on yields.
While precipitation was slightly higher than normal,
growers were able to apply preventive measures to
control mildew. Insects were present, but were kept
under control throughout the growing season.
Oregon: The winter conditions during the months
of November through February were close to normal.
However, as in 2010 and 2011, the months of March
and April produced cooler temperatures and above
average precipitation. Spring growth was somewhat
repressed and resulted in lighter vine development
which carried into summer. During June and July the
weather was abnormally variable and never provided
extended periods of ideal growing conditions. As a
result, yields were inconsistent over the spectrum
of varieties and the overall production per acre was
slightly less than in 2011.
Quality: US growers produced high quality hops in
2012. The visual qualities such as colour of cones,
lack of disease and insect damage is comparable to
crop 2011, if not slightly better. Seed counts were
down to 0.66 % compared to 1.34 % in 2011. The leaf
and stem increased slightly to 0.29 % compared to
0.12 % in 2011.
Hops 12/13
26
Contract Market
The contract market activity for hops from crop
2012 and beyond developed fully in early spring
and continued into early summer. Initially most
contracting focused on aroma/flavour hops varieties
like Cascade, Centennial, Golding, Mt. Hood and
others with most contracts being written for crop
years 2012 through 2015. Prices ranged from 6.28 USD
to 7.72 USD/kg for Cascade, Centennial, Golding,
and Glacier. Mt. Hood obtained a price of 7.17 USD
to 11.02 USD/kg. A number of proprietary varieties
like Simcoe®, Ahtanum®, Amarillo® among others
were expanded under a pool or other non-traditional
pricing arrangements. The limited availability of
these proprietary varieties coupled with their high
market demand provided licensed growers with the
highest returns per ha or in excess of 18,000 USD
per ha. As a comparison, public varieties, depending
on demand, ranged between 12,000 and 16,000 USD
per ha.
CTZ and Nugget were the two high alpha varieties
which carried most of the alpha market. The CTZ
started selling in January for 13.23 USD, 16.53 USD,
and 19.84 USD/kga for crop years 2012, 2013, and
2014 respectively with the volume being relatively
small. The CTZ market picked up again in August
– December with larger volumes of CTZ selling for
24.25 USD, 25.35 USD, 26.46 USD, and 27.56 USD/kg
alpha for the crop years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016
respectively. Nugget sold in October at 26.46 USD,
30.86 USD, 31.42 USD, 31.97 USD, and 32.52 USD/kg
alpha for the years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
The contract market for crop 2013 and beyond started
to develop already in January 2013, as demand from
the craft brewing industry continued unabated.
Established acreage of aroma/flavour varieties had
already been contracted which meant that additional
supplies needed to be planted new. Heavy expansion
of varieties like Cascade and Centennial had to
compete with significant increases in acreages of
proprietary varieties such as Citra®, Simcoe® and
Amarillo®.
USA
As a result, prices rose from approx. 6.50 USD/kg
to more than 8.00 USD/kg for Cascade, 8.80 USD
to approx. 9.00 USD for Centennial and a number
of other varieties selling for 9.90 USD/kg. Most
contracts continued to have a three-year contract
duration with approx. price increases of 0.10 USD/kg
plus premiums for the subsequent years.
Spot Market 2012
With crop 2012 having been 100 % contracted and
yields falling short of contracts, the few spot hops
that were produced sold quickly during and right after
harvest. Most of the spot market activity centered on
aroma varieties. Spot Cascade sold between 14.33 USD
to 15.10 USD/kg. Mt. Hood, Liberty, and Sterling
sold for 11.02 USD/kg. Golding had a market price of
13.23 USD/kg and Willamette sold between 3.86 USD
to 4.41 USD/kg. A few alpha spot hops, such as CTZ,
sold for 24.25 USD to 26.46 USD/kg alpha and Nugget
at 26.46 USD/kg alpha.
CHINA
Area
Variety
Xinjiang
Tsingtao Flower
Kirin Flower
Marco Polo
SA-1
Other Aroma
Total Xinjiang
Tsingtao Flower
Nugget
High Alpha
Other Aroma
Total Gansu
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha
Production mt
2011
1,728
464
180
233
120
2,725
1,069
188
446
30
1,733
+/-155
-101
67
0
0
-189
-206
-13
-49
-12
-280
2012
1,573
363
247
233
120
2,536
863
175
397
18
1,453
2011
3.06
3.26
3.75
2.58
2.78
3.09
3.16
1.29
2.74
1.67
2.82
2012
2.38
2.92
3.20
2.58
2.78
2.57
2.89
0.89
2.46
2.42
2.52
2011
5,286.0
1,514.0
675.0
600.0
333.0
8,408.0
3,379.3
243.0
1,222.5
50.0
4,894.8
2012
3,740.0
1,060.0
790.0
600.0
333.0
6,523.0
2,490.6
156.0
974.9
43.6
3,665.1
Total Aroma
Total Bitter
Total High Alpha
383
3,261
814
-12
-462
5
371
2,799
819
2.57
3.12
2.63
2.63
983.0
2.60 10,179.3
2.35 2,140.5
976.6
7,290.6
1,920.9
CHINA TOTAL
4,458
-469
3,989
2.98
2.55
10,188.1
Gansu
Farm Structure
Although the acreage in China in the 2012 crop year
was significantly smaller than it had been in 2011, the
number of farms growing hops only declined by one.
Whilst there were again 33 farms producing hops in the
Xinjiang growing region, only 19 farms remained in the
Gansu region.
On average, the 52 producers cultivated 77 ha of hops per
farm in 2012 compared to an average of 84 ha in 2011.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
Hop acreage declined by 11 % in total. As in the
previous year, the Tsingtao Flower variety suffered
the greatest decline, with 361 ha being removed from
production.
The winter was cold with large amounts of snow.
Training the hops was delayed by 10 to 14 days in
comparison with normal years. The entire vegetation
period proved insufficient to compensate fully for the
delay in growth. Harvesting started about 5 days later
13,302.8
than usual. The harvested yields were not quite up
to the long-term average in either of the hop-growing
regions. On the other hand, the alpha acid content
of 6.8 % across all the varieties was somewhat above
the average, as had also been the case in 2011. The
Tsingtao Flower variety was again close to the longterm average with 5.8 %. The alpha acid yield fell by
23 % year on year.
Alpha production in mt
1.200
1,001
1.000
965
900
800
600
716
693
400
200
0
2008 2009 2010 2011
2012
There are no reliable statistics
on acreage and production
volume in China. The figures
presented here which, due
to the size of the Chinese
hop-growing regions, are often
based on estimates, have
been gathered using our own
sources.
Market Situation
At the end of August 2012 approx. 70 % of the crop
was committed through purchase agreements between
farmers and buyers. Purchase agreements of this kind
are common in China. They only contain specifications
of quantity and quality. The actual price is negotiated
at a later date.
The spot market got off to a brisk start. Hops with
good alpha acid values were in great demand. By the
end of September there were scarcely any unsold lots
of hops left.
Hops 12/13
27
CHINA
Depending on the quality, the farmers obtained prices
of between 18.00 and 22.00 CNY/kg (2.20 – 2.70 EUR)
for alpha hops and between 22.00 and 25.00 CNY/
kg (2.70 – 3.06 EUR) for aroma hops. With heavy
purchasing of the 2012 crop, stocks of hops from
earlier years were also reduced. However, an unknown
volume of old stocks remained.
It is very difficult to establish how large the production
area will be for the 2013 harvest. In 2012 it was noted
that while some farms were not training all of their
hop plants, they were not clearing them either, but
were leaving the trellis systems in place. In the Gansu
growing region two farms, with a combined hop acreage
of 130 ha, abandoned hop production completely after
the 2012 harvest. According to estimates, the acreage
devoted to hop growing in China in 2013 is probably
around 2,900 ha. Approx. 70 % of the yield from this
area has already been reserved without a defined price.
Due to the shortage of cheap labour, farmers are
increasingly switching over to machine picking. This
changeover is responsible for a marked loss in the
quality and quantity of the hops.
C r o p 2 0 1 3 : A ustra l ia
Area
Variety
Tasmania
Super Pride
Pride of Ringwood
Millennium
Other
Total Tasmania
Topaz
Pride of Ringwood
Super Pride
Other
Total Victoria
Alpha production in mt
180
166
160
140
120
148
140
144
126
100
80
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Hops 12/13
28
Victoria
AUSTRALIA TOTAL
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha
Production mt
2012 +/- 2013 2012 2013
63
0
63
2.43
2.41
47
0
47
2.98
2.98
35
-35
0
1.85
0.00
53
24
77
1.55
1.77
198
-11
187
2.22
2.26
105
-34
71
2.94
3.76
60
-13
47
2.00
2.02
50
20
70
2.51
2.43
39
35
74
2.51
2.58
254
8
262
2.57
2.76
452
-3
449
2.42
2.55
2012
153.1
141.1
64.6
81.0
439.8
309.5
120.0
125.4
97.9
652.8
2013
151.8
135.0
0.0
136.0
422.8
267.0
95.0
170.0
191.0
723.0
1,092.6
1,145.8
Farm Structure
The number of hop farmers remained unchanged, as
did the average cultivated acreage per farm. In 2012
and 2013, Australia’s eight farmers cultivated an area
of approx. 56 ha each.
than the hot weather had led to expect, and the
average levels compared with the previous year were
as follows: Pride of Ringwood 9.1 % (8.8 %), Super
Pride 14.7 % (14.2 %). Overall alpha production
increased by 6 %.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
Overall acreage remained stable. However, with regard
to varietal range, there were large-scale changes in
varietal planting patterns. The acreage listed applies
to the harvested acreage of full-yielding hops,
although, in some cases, first-year plants were also
harvested in crop year 2013.
A winter of normal climatic conditions was followed
by a long, hot summer. Hop growth continued pretty
much as expected. Lack of rain was compensated for
by substantial irrigation. Throughout the continent,
Australia registered the highest average summer
temperatures ever recorded. Nevertheless, the harvest
yielded approx. 10% more hops than expected.
Furthermore, the alpha acid results were much better
Market Situation
At the time of picking, approx. 82 % of the 2013
harvest was under contract. In order to meet the
high demand from craft breweries worldwide at least
in part, the transition from high alpha varieties
to flavour hops is being continued. Galaxy™ is
perhaps the best known of the newer varieties, and
a doubling of production over the next few years has
already been planned. Expansion plans are also well
under way for Ella and Summer and, after excellent
ratings at Brau 2012, Topaz, with its appealing floral
aromas and gentle touch of sweet fruits, is proving
increasingly popular for craft brews. Newcomer Vic
Secret (characterised by resinous pine and pineapple
notes) is now set to be launched globally.
C r o p 2 0 1 3 : N e w Z e a l and
Variety Group
Aroma
High Alpha
Other
NEW ZEALAND TOTAL
Development of acreage
Acreage ha
2012
190
130
40
360
+/40
-25
-25
Development of production
Ø Yield mt/ha
Production mt
2013
230
105
15
-10
Farm Structure
Two farms discontinued hop growing. The remaining
17 farms cultivated an average hop acreage of 21 ha. In
crop year 2012 the average was 19 ha per farm.
Acreage/Production/Alpha Content
Although the acreage strung with aroma varieties was
increased, the group containing high alpha and other
varieties witnessed a reduction. Plant development
was impaired by a cool spring. An extremely dry
summer and picking season caused the total yield to
fall approx. 10 % short of expectations. Alpha acid
levels were similar to those of the previous year and,
thanks to excellent weather conditions at the time of
harvest, the hops were of very good quality.
350
2012
1.86
2.19
1.38
1.93
2013
1.75
2.37
2.08
1.95
2012
354.0
285.0
55.0
694.0
2013
402.6
248.7
31.2
682.5
Due primarily to acreage reduction among high alpha
varieties, the alpha yield was 6 % lower than that of
the 2012 harvest.
Market Situation
At the time of reporting in early May, 95 % of the 2013
harvest had been sold. In the future, the volume of
hops to be produced will continue to depend on the
forward contract rate. A forward contract rate of 95 %
has been targeted, which will minimise the availability
of spot hops.
The New Zealand hop industry remains focused
on the sustainable production of hops, from both
an environmental and a business perspective, and
maintains the viewpoint that hops constitute an
essential brewing ingredient and not a mass commodity
for low-cost producers.
Alpha production in mt
90
87
83
80
70
66
62
60
50
56
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
HOP PL A N T D EVELOP M E N T 2 0 1 3
Germany
The comparatively dry autumn was followed by a
snowy winter. While the months of November to
January were unusually mild, the temperatures in the
months of February and March were somewhat below
the long-term average. Soils were repeatedly covered
with snow until the middle of March and, as a result,
in most regions the spring work did not begin until
the end of March. The changeable weather conditions
continued into early April, causing the trimming of the
hop plants to be interrupted repeatedly.
The nights were cool right to the end of April and the
hop plants only developed slowly. It was only in the
final week of April and early May that the daytime and
nighttime temperatures rose significantly, encouraging
growth. Training the hop plants therefore only started
after the beginning of May, somewhat later than in
previous years. The wet weather conditions until the
end of May ensured adequate water supplies. However,
the plants were unable to make up completely for the
delay in growth from the spring.
As control measures for primary infection with
downy mildew could be carried out under favourable
conditions, there was relatively little disease pressure
until the end of May.
USA
Winter precipitation in the Cascade mountain range
has been near normal and adequate irrigation water
flows are expected throughout the growing season in
the Washington growing areas. While temperatures
in Oregon have been slightly cooler than normal,
the winter months in Washington have been slightly
warmer than average. Growers welcomed the milder
climate and the ability to get into their fields sooner,
as substantial amounts of hop yards needed to be
replanted and as previously idled acreages were brought
back into production. The warmer temperatures also
helped to establish the newly planted yards as well as
the mature fields in early spring and provided a solid
base for a normal crop.
Hops 12/13
29
Out l o o k 2 0 1 3
Germany
The number of hop growers in Germany has continued
to decline. In 2013, 1,231 farms remain, 64 fewer than
last year. The acreage survey recorded a decline in
acreage of approx. 279 ha, or 1.6 %, to 16,849 ha.
This decrease in acreage is divided up among the
variety groups as follows: aroma -178 ha (of which
Perle -155 ha); bitter/high alpha -83 ha (of which
Hallertau Magnum -407 ha, Hallertau Taurus -112
ha, Herkules +444 ha); others -18 ha. The new flavour
varieties from Hüll, Hallertau Blanc, Huell Melon,
Mandarina Bavaria and Polaris, have already been
grown on an area of 104 ha.
become the second most planted variety behind the
CTZ variety complex. Further significant expansions
of aroma/flavour varieties compared to 2012 include
Citra® (+146 %), Simcoe® (+34 %) and Centennial
(+25 %) that along with other aroma/flavour varieties
saw an expansion of approx. 750 ha. In contrast,
hops belonging to the alpha category lost ground by
close to 500 ha. Steep declines were recorded in the
specific alpha varieties of Nugget, Galena, and Chelan
totalling an acreage reduction of approx. 550 ha, while
the higher yielding varieties that include Apollo,
Bravo, CTZ, Summit® and Millennium remained
practically unchanged.
USA
As reported by the US Department of Agriculture
(USDA) on 12 June 2013, the total hop acreage in the
US increased by 1,258 ha to 14,181 ha. While this
10 % expansion of overall acreage is significant and
greater than last year, the continued shift from alpha
hops to aroma/flavour hops is even more striking.
Aroma/flavour hops have increased their share of total
acreage from just 40 % in 2012 to nearly 50 % in 2013.
Cascade has increased by approx. 800 ha to more than
2,100 ha or about 15 % of the total US acreage and has
World
Never in the history of hop growing have stocks
of alpha from previous harvests been so large.
Fortunately, the brewing industry’s demand for alpha
worldwide appears still to be increasing. In view of the
fact that acreage in crop year 2013 is approx. 440 ha
smaller than in crop year 2012, no further increase in
stocks of alpha is to be expected, assuming that yields
are average. After five years of overproduction, it looks
as if the market in brewing year 2014 will arrive at a
balance of supply and demand.
Currency Exchange Rates
These exchange rates can only
serve as an indication. They
vary from bank to bank and
are not binding.
1 EUR equals (reference by ECB):
on 31 May 2012
USA
1.2403USD
Australia
1.2736AUD
China
7.8989CNY
United Kingdom 0.7999GBP
Japan
97.6600JPY
on 31 May 2013
1.3006USD
1.3540AUD
7.9789CNY
0.8537GBP
130.4700JPY
Canada
Poland
Switzerland
Russia
Czech Republic
on 31 May 2012
1.2761CAD
4.3915PLN
1.2010CHF
41.2975RUB
25.6930CZK
on 31 May 2013
1.3434CAD
4.2792PLN
1.2406CHF
41.4400RUB
25.7110CZK
Conversion Table
Area:
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2
1 hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2
1 Bavarian „Tagwerk“
1 acre
= 2.934 Bavarian „Tagwerk“
= 2.471 acres
= 0.341 ha
= 0.4047 ha
Volume:
1 hl = 100 l
1 hl = 100 l
1 barrel (bbl/USA)
1 barrel (bbl/GB)
= 26.42 gall = 0.8523 bbl (USA)
= 22.01 gall = 0.6114 bbl (Brit.)
= 31 gall = 1,1734 hl
= 36 gall = 1,6365 hl
Weight:
1 metr. ton (mt) = 1,000 kg
1 Zentner cwt (D) = 50 kg
1 hundredweight (cwt/USA)
1 hundredweight (cwt/GB)
1 centner (GB)
1 kg
1 lb
= 20 cwt (D) = 2,204.6 lbs
= 110.23 lbs = 1.102 cwt (USA)
= 110.23 lbs = 0.984 cwt (GB)
= 100 lbs = 45.36 kg
= 0.9072 Ztr.
= 112 lbs = 50.800 kg
= 1.0160 Ztr.
= 100 lbs = 45.36 kg
= 0.9072 Ztr.
= 2.20462 lbs
= 0.45359 kg
Pub l is h ing D e tai l s
Publisher: Joh. Barth & Sohn GmbH & Co KG,
Freiligrathstrasse 7/9. 90482 Nuremberg
Project responsibility: Stephan Barth,
Managing Partner, Nuremberg
Editor: Heinrich Meier, Georgensgmuend
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Layout: Lingner Marketing GmbH, Fuerth
Cover: Lingner Marketing GmbH, Fuerth
Print: Pinsker Druck und Medien GmbH, Mainburg
Nuremberg, July 2013
M e mb e rs o f
Joh. Barth & Sohn GmbH & Co. KGPhone: +49 911 5489-0
Freiligrathstrasse 7/9
Fax:
+49 911 5489-330
90482 NurembergE-Mail: info@johbarth.de
Germanywww.barthhaasgroup.com
®
John I. Haas, Inc. Phone: +1 202 777-4800
5158 MacArthur Blvd, NW, Suite 300 Fax:
+1 202 777-4895
Washington, DC 20016E-Mail: info@johnihaas.com
USAwww.barthhaasgroup.com
Barth-Haas Hops AcademyPhone: +49 911 5489-0
Freiligrathstrasse 7/9
Fax:
+49 911 5489-330
90482 NurembergE-Mail: info@hopsacademy.com
Germanywww.hopsacademy.com
Botanix Ltd.Phone: +44 1892 833415
Hop Pocket Lane
Fax:
+44 1892 836987
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6DQ E-Mail: intray@botanix.co.uk
United Kingdom
www.botanix.co.uk
Hop Products AustraliaPhone: +61 3 6282 2000
26 Cambridge Road
Fax:
+61 3 6245 0970
Bellerive, Tasmania 7018 E-Mail: info@hops.com.au
Australiawww.hops.com.au
Barth Haas (Beijing) Trade Co., Ltd.Phone: +86 10 6590 7096
Unit 26–28. Level 6 Fax:
+86 10 6590 7095
China World Tower 1 No. 1E-Mail: info@barthhaaschina.com
JianGuoMenWai Avenue
www.barthhaaschina.com
100004 Beijing, People´s Republic of China
Simply Hops Ltd.Phone: +44 800 1075073
Hop Pocket LaneE-Mail: enquiries@simplyhops.co.uk
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6DQ www.simplyhops.co.uk
United Kingdom
barth
unlocking the potential of hops
Barth Innovations Ltd.Phone: + 44 1892 830890
Hop Pocket LaneE-Mail:
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6DQ
enquiries@barthinnovations.com
United Kingdom
BetaTec Hop ProductsPhone: +1 202 777-4800
5158 MacArthur Blvd. NW. Suite 300 Fax:
+1 202 777-4895
Washington, DC 20016E-Mail:
USAinfo@betatechopproducts.com
www.betatechopproducts.com
2
NATECO2
NATECO2 GmbH und Co. KGPhone: +49 8442 66-0
Auenstrasse 18-20 Fax:
+49 8442 66-66
85283 WolnzachE-Mail: contact@nateco2.de
Germanywww.nateco2.de
Hopfenveredlung St. JohannPhone: +49 9444 878-0
GmbH & Co. KG
Fax:
+49 9444 878-178
Mainburger Strasse 15 E-Mail:
93358 St. Johann
contact@hopfenveredlung.de
Germanywww.hopfenveredlung.de
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D r y H o p p ing
Discover the enormous wealth of possibilities
There is evidence that the Mongolians probably knew about dry
hopping as much as 2,000 years ago. In Germany it was not unusual
to dry-hop beer from the middle of the 19th century, or even earlier.
From a historical perspective, dry hopping originated in England.
There are numerous records from 1800 onwards which relate how fresh
hops were placed in or added to casks containing fermented beer (cask
ales).
Today, dry hopping is being talked about in Germany again, although
until a few years ago the practice of dry hopping of beer (i.e. in the
fermentation or storage cellar) was no longer of any significance. There
are several reasons why this has now changed:
• Until the beginning of last year it was not clear whether dry hopping
was permissible under the German Purity Law. In January 2012 the
Bavarian brewers' association declared unambiguously that: “... the
practice of adding hop products – with the exception of hop extract
– known as dry hopping and used to round off the flavour of the
beer does not constitute a violation of statutory regulations.”
• Many dry-hopped US craft beers are so successful that German
brewers are now following their example.
• Dry hopping allows the hops to be used to their best advantage and
enables specific hop aromas to be transferred to the beer.
• And, last but not least, the wide range of hop varieties, dosages and
types of beer mean that the opportunities for producing new flavour
profiles are virtually endless.
Any hop variety (aroma and bitter hops) can be used for dry hopping.
Dry hopping is a cold extraction in a weak alcoholic solution. The
higher the alcohol content, the more substances (not only aroma
compounds) are extracted into the beer. Several parameters have a
significant effect on the result:
Contact area and contact time
Extraction can only take place if the compounds to be extracted are
accessible. Hop powder or pellets are therefore more suitable for dry
hoping than cone hops. Hop pellets dissolve quickly and uniformly,
providing a maximum contact surface. It is harder to extract the
aroma compounds from cone hops because the structure of the lupulin
glands is intact. The contact time for dry hopping can vary greatly. In
some breweries it is only a few hours (extraction in such cases being
enhanced by vigorous stirring or tank transfer), in other breweries the
hops remain in the tank for up to 20 days.
Temperature
Generally, dry hopping is carried out in the storage cellar where
temperatures are very low. Sometimes the hops are even added to
the primary fermentation. Depending on the fermentation process,
different temperatures influence the extraction behaviour of the
aroma compounds. More substances are likely to be extracted at higher
temperatures.
Hop product
In Germany the only hop products which can be used are cone hops
or hop powder and pellets. Elsewhere in the world there is of course a
large range of hop products which can be used for dry hopping. These
include
• Oil-rich hop extracts
• Water-soluble hop oil fractions (PHA products)
• Pure hop oil
• Hop oil emulsions
All these products can be manufactured from single varieties.
Methods
There is a great variety of techniques by means of which dry hopping
can be carried out. Hop pellets are often placed in the storage tank
in advance, whereas in the case of cone hops various nets are filled
with the hops and these are then put into the storage tank. The hops
can obviously also be soaked in beer or water first and the extracted
solution subsequently used. Some processes also use a type of hop
strainer through which the beer is pumped in a cycle. In other words,
there is no standard equipment.
In the case of pellets or powder, a process of precipitation and/or
centrifugation is used to remove the hops. Many of the dry-hopped
beers are also bottled without being filtered.
And what quantity of hops should be used?
For dry hopping, the dosage should be orientated towards the oil
content of the hops. This means that in general a smaller quantity of
bitter varieties is required than of aroma varieties. A rough guideline
for quantity is to use 0.5 - 1 ml oil/hl (i.e. depending on the variety,
20 - 250 g hops/hl). Oil dosage of more than 2 ml/hl is not uncommon
either. In addition to dry hopping, it is recommended to add an aroma
portion to the whirlpool in order to consolidate the hop aroma in the
beer.
However fascinating the existing results of dry hopping are, there are
still some unanswered questions which we would like to investigate:
• Which key aroma compounds are contained in dry-hopped beers?
• What effect does the yeast have on the aroma profile of dry-hopped
beers?
• What effect does dry hopping have on the flavour stability of the
beer?
• Which other hop compounds are introduced into the beer as a result
of dry hopping?
• How does dry hopping influence the physical stability of the beer?
Dry hopping gives breweries undreamt-of opportunities for
offering the consumer beers with unique flavours.
Please note our report „Market Leaders and their Challengers in the Top 40 Countries”
with the table of the 40 biggest brewing groups worldwide.