Australia: Hop Products Australia kicks off 2018 harvest
Hop Products Australia (HPA) has kicked off its 2018 harvest, starting at its Rostrevor Hop Gardens farm in Victoria, before starting at the Bushy Park Estates farm in Tasmania next week, The Shout reported on March 2.
HPA is Australias largest hop grower and accounts for around 90 per cent of Australias total hop production; HPA farms have been growing hops for over 150 years in Tasmania and for over 120 years in Victoria.
The company said that it is expecting to see an increase in this years hop harvest, with an estimated yield of 1445 metric tonnes. This forecast would represent a 21 per cent increase on last years harvest and a 100 per cent increase over the last four years.
HPAs Managing Director, Tim Lord said: This is a very exciting time for us on farm and as a business, as HPA has recently invested heavily in order to see the operation and yield grow year upon year.
As Australias largest hop grower and supplier, we own and manage each step of the supply chain, from new variety development in the breeding garden, growing the crop, all the way through to final packaging and distribution. Weve created the shortest path possible between farm and brewer, to deliver the highest impact in beer.
This years harvest will span five weeks, with around 300 seasonal workers expected to help harvest around 560 hectares. HPA has grown seven different varieties of hop which will be used by both domestic and international brewers, the hop varieties include: Galaxy, Ella, Enigma, Super Pride, Topaz, Vic Secret and Cascade.