USA: Hops stocks decline, USDA said
The quantity of hops on hand in the United States as of September 1 is down from year earlier levels, AgReport posted on September 16.
The USDA reports growers, dealers, and brewers had 60.0 million pounds on hand, 8% less than the revised September 1, 2004 stocks of 65.0 million pounds and 13% below September 1, 2003. March 1, 2005 holdings were also revised upwards to 76.0 million pounds.
Stocks held by brewers, at 33.0 million pounds, were down 1.00 million pounds from the revised September 1, 2004 estimate and 2.00 million pounds below September 1, 2003.
Stocks held by growers and dealers on September 1, 2005 were 27.0 million pounds, 13% less than the stocks on hand last year and 21% under two years ago.