UK: Drought conditions raise fears of hop shortage

Drought conditions could trigger a hop shortage - leaving beer drinkers crying into their pints as costs increase. Brewers have already been hit by huge cost increases for malt, electricity and carbon dioxide, the Hull Live reported on August 20.

They now face a supply shortfall when crops are harvested. Charlie Gorham, of hop merchants Charles Faram, said: �Temperatures in the UK and across Europe are putting pressure on the hop crop.

�Plants are well behind where they should be and are showing signs of severe heat stress. Harvest is due to begin and without rain there will be light yields.�

The price of a pint � currently an average �3.95 � could rise as a result. Craft brewers would be hit hard as their brews often rely on a larger dose and variety of hops reports the Mirror.

The Society of Independent Brewers said: �Breweries are seeing huge cost increases. Now, with rising temperatures across Europe, hop supply is under real threat.�

Germany accounts for 73% of the world�s hops, yet water levels on the Rhine are now dangerously low. Suffolk brewing giant Adnams has warned its production costs could surge by up to 30% this year and experts predict price rises of 6% in pubs, bars and diners as the hospitality industry faces spiralling costs.