Hop Update August 2024

Official crop estimate Germany 

The total estimated harvest for the German growing areas is 48,964 t. This is divided between the growing regions as follows:
 

In comparison, the harvest quantity in Germany in 2023 was 41,233 tonnes.

Further details on the official crop estimate can be found at the Association of German Hop Growers.

Weather conditions and Plant Development Germany

The weather was very warm from the end of July to the beginning of August with occasional thunderstorms. The hops were able to form cones well from the existing blooms. The aroma varieties in particular are very well developed and will produce above-average yields. The largest variety in terms of acreage, Herkules, can also be rated as slightly above average. The first results of the alpha monitoring show average alpha values for the 2024 harvest. The development status is a few days ahead of the long-term average in all growing regions. The hop plants have a BBCH stage of 81 to 89, beginning of maturity to progressive maturity.

There are hardly any spider mites and aphids. However, pressure from the red spider mite is increasing in susceptible, sandy hop locations. The earth flea is a bigger problem. It eats its way from the leaves into the cones until they start to wither. There is no registered plant protection product against this pest at this stage of growth. Fungal diseases are also an increasing problem. Powdery mildew is present in many fields, especially in susceptible varieties such as Herkules. Downy mildew infestation has also increased in recent weeks. In Tettnang, some farms are already starting to harvest at the end of the week. In Hallertau, most farms will start harvesting at the beginning to middle of calendar week 36. Farms in the Elbe-Saale growing region will start harvesting in early to mid-September. 

Plant Development other growing areas

Czech Republic 

In the Czech hop-growing regions, the development level of most varieties is a few days ahead of the long-term average. The hop harvest begins these days. Midsummer temperatures with sufficient rainfall in August. Due to the sufficient precipitation during vegetation, the largest variety in terms of area, Saazer, can be estimated to have a slightly above-average yield. The expected yields of the varieties Sladek, Premiant and Kazbek can be rated as average. There are currently no diseases or pests.

Slovenia 

High temperatures of up to over 34 degrees at the beginning of August with some rainfall. The hop yields are very different and can be described as slightly below average compared to the long-term average. The first alpha values are average. Some farms are starting to harvest the earliest Savinjski Golding variety this week.

Poland 

Poland had moderate temperatures with sufficient rainfall. The hop fields vary widely and are uneven. Even within the fields, the hops are often uneven. A slightly below-average harvest is currently expected. Harvesting is expected to begin on the first farms in calendar week 37, so no alpha values are available at this early stage.

USA

The level of development is in line with the long-term average. There is also sufficient water available for irrigation. The hops are slightly below average to average. Diseases are not a problem, but a population of red spider mite has built up.