Beer
Has harvesting of the weather and diseases affected
German hop planters react to overproduction and falling beer demand with clearing. But these are not the only factors that affect the harvest this year.
Despite unfavorable weather conditions and diseases, the German hop planters expect a slightly below -average hop harvest this year. Compared to the past ten years, the harvest is likely to be 3.2 percent below an average harvest, the Association of German Hops Mauer said in the Upper Bavarian Wolnzach, which is located in the largest German cultivation area Hallertau.
According to this, Germany is the largest hop producer worldwide and represents around 35 percent of the global hop area. However, the area in Germany has decreased for the second time in a row – after moderate 1.6 percent in the previous year by 6.5 percent. “The remaining 18,961 hectares of German hops were managed by 965 companies in six federal states in 2025,” it said.
Overproduction leads to clearing
As in other countries, the reason for the decline in the acreage is a reaction to the existing overproduction. “In view of a stagnating or even declining beer production in important global beer markets, the export of German hops as well as domestic demand comes to a standstill, so that production must be reduced,” explained the association.
According to the official harvest estimate, around 41,200 tons of hops will be harvested in the six German growing areas on a total area of almost 19,000 hectares. That is around eleven percent less than in 2024. According to the association, the weather conditions 2025 were not optimal. In addition to the lack of rain for a long time, the plants also add diseases and pests.
dpa
Source: Stern
