Germany: Hop harvest to drop to 40,124 tonnes this year

Germany’s hop harvest is expected to total 40,124 tonnes this year, HVG reported on August 24.

This would be the second annual decline in output: in 2016, the harvest amounted to 42,766 tonnes, whereas in 2017 it dropped to 41,556 tonnes.

The dry and hot weather of the last few weeks, which is still continuing, has dampened estimates for this year’s crop further, HVG said.

Regarding raw hop quantities, in the meantime, current estimates are for a below-average crop with yields for early varieties like Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Tettnanger, Spalter, Northern Brewer being partly lower than that. Yields for variety Magnum are also expected to be disappointing. Preliminary analyses indicate below-average alpha acid contents, too. It is still too early, however, for detailed forecasts.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .