The USDA reports a record high for hops strung this season across the Pacific Northwest. More than 60,000 acres of hops were strung, which is a 4 percent increase from 2020.
Hop Growers of America says that the increase in acreage is from customer demand and has the industry both excited and optimistic about the future, especially considering where the U.S. usually ranks in production.
According to Jaki Brophy, “Traditionally, we’ve been one-third of the global supply and thanks to increased demand over the past year, we’ve actually been closer or at 40 percent of the world’s supply. With beer styles like IPAs, pale ales, it’s just increased the demand for American hops.”
As in years past, Washington accounts for the majority of the Northwest hop acreage with Idaho and Oregon just behind. All three states reported a year over year increase in acreage.
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