US grows 95.8 percent in five years.
Thanks to continued, increased demand for hop-forward beers, hop acreage continues to climb to the U.S. and across the world, even with U.S. acreage nearly doubling in five years, causing concern.
MOXEE, WA – In an unprecedented growth rate of U.S. hop acreage, hops continue to be on the rise in the United States and across the globe as consumer tastes and demand for beer with higher hopping rates persist...
If anticipated acreage is actualized, then in five years' time, hop acreage in the United States will have practically doubled. Thanks to increased contracts with breweries and the rapid efficiency of U.S. growers who can respond so quickly to consumer demand, hop acreage has risen 95.8 percent in five years. In total, since 2012, the U.S. has added 28,465 acres, including the estimated acreage as reported by IHGC, and has more than 50 varieties in the ground.
"To put it into perspective, the U.S. acres added in the last five years is larger than the total acreage of any other hop-growing country in the world outside of our own and Germany, the two largest hop-producing countries..."
– Ann George, Executive Director of Hop Growers of America
Overall, thanks to many more craft customers, and a seemingly unquenchable thirst for IPAs and other highly hopped beers, the result for U.S. growers is a far more stable market than in past years: high demand and diversified customer base. As brewers are looking to plan for their hop requirements, responsible, realistic contracting is encouraged to keep supply and demand in proper balance for the 50-plus varieties being grown in the U.S....
"Overall, we are excited with the rejuvenation of our industry over the last few years," notes Patrick Smith, Vie President, B.T. Loftus Ranches, Inc. "Looking to the future, long-term stability in the supply-demand balance and pricing is in the best interested of brewers and growers alike. This is best achieved through frequent communication and responsible contracting between brewers and their hop suppliers."
– Article by Sally Colby, Wine & Craft Beverage News
