Hopsteiner discusses increase in Pacific Northwest hop acreage

Pacific Northwest hop acreage is reported to increase to 54,135 acres in the recent release by USDA-NASS. This increase of approximately 6.4 percent continues to meet the ongoing demand in the market, both from craft brewers and mainstream brewers alike.

Hopsteiner’s U.S. hop farms are located in Yakima, Wash., a region that is seeing a 4 percent acreage increase year-over-year. Washington State takes the top spot of acreage in the Pacific Northwest, as it covers over 71.9 percent of the 54,135 acres. Over the past six years, this region alone has increased by 82 percent.

“We’re not surprised by this rapid growth of the hop industry as we have seen it first hand,” said Bill Elkins, sales representative for Hopsteiner. “There is a massive desire by craft beer drinkers for brewers to come up with unique, hoppy flavors. As growers, we’re receiving contracts from brewers which directly relates to not only how much acreage we need, but the growth of the hop business.”

Oregon, the second largest producer (by acreage) in the United States, is reported to increase acreage by approximately 4 percent compared to 2016. Meanwhile Idaho, which remains the third largest producer, reported the largest increase this year with 27 percent more acres strung for harvest when compared to last year. These regional numbers helped to officially make the United States the largest hop-growing country (acreage basis) in the world, ahead of Germany.

Cascade remains the single largest cultivated variety in the United States, though total reported acreage for this variety is projected to decrease approximately 5.5 percent when compared to 2016. Centennial acreage continues its upward trend of recent years and is projected to increase nearly 9 percent in 2017. One of the more surprising developments in the report was Comet, an older hop with a fruity aroma, which has recently been revived by brewers looking for that “New England-type feel” for their beers. With an increase of 76 percent, Comet saw the highest percentage increase by far among hop varieties.

Hopsteiner (S.S. Steiner) was founded in 1845 in Laupheim, Germany. Today, Hopsteiner is one of the largest international hop growing, trading, breeding and processing firms in the world, with operations in nine major regions. Hopsteiner continues to invest in new technology to remain at the forefront of quality, efficiency and sustainable practices.