Agriculture: hop farmers blind stocks against oversupply

There are too much hops in Germany. A partly massive drop in prices in the beer ingredient currently causes many planters to clear parts of their fields. In particular, the two types of aromas pearl and Hallertau tradition, which are common in Germany, are affected, as the managing director of German Hop Planters, Erich Lehmair says. “In the end you can see it at the price. One euro per kilo is a tenth of what we had a year ago.” This is significantly below the manufacturing costs.

Stephan Schinagl, shopping manager at the world’s largest hop dealer Barthhaas and second chairman of the Hoptwirtschaftsverband, also complains about the oversupply. The acreage of 5,000 hectares must decrease worldwide. That would be around 9 percent. In Germany it should be around 2,000 hectares. Lehmair also considers 1,000 to 2,000 hectares to be a realistic size.

Nevertheless, Germany will probably keep its title that has just been recessed as the largest hopmaker in the world. Around 2,000 hectares would also have to be lost in the second -placed USA, says Schinagl. Last year, hopped in Germany had been planted at around 20,300 hectares – most of them in the Hallertau between Munich and Nuremberg – in the USA at around 18,600.

Changes in the recipe reduce hop needs

In addition to the rather weak beer demand, changes in the recipes in large breweries also contribute to the fact that the demand for aroma hops drops, as Schinagl says. In part, this is replaced by varieties with a particularly high alpha acid content. This part of the hop gives the beer the bitter note. In addition, the bites are sometimes more profitable. “A hectare of Hercules replaces three hectares of pearl,” the expert calculates.

Lehmair also knows examples where this exchange is carried out for cost reasons. In addition, whether the change is tasted, there are different views. It also depends on which hops are added when the brewing process is added. At least in the part of the hop that comes into the beer early, there is a chance for the layperson that he will not notice any difference, he says. Nevertheless, many – especially smaller – breweries, according to Schinagel, prefer not to feel their recipe. There is not much to get anyway: hops only make up about one percent of the beer price, says Lehmair.

The Hopfauer also has to “poker”

Nobody knows how much will really be cleared at the moment, because every planter decides for himself and his company. He may also have to poker, says Lehmair. Every hectare and kilo hops cost him money. If the price does not increase, the planter lose money if it increases too much rode and the price, he misses the chance.

Where there is clearing, it takes time for hopes to be harvested again. After a new planting, there is no yield in the first year. Nevertheless, nobody has to worry about their beer, says Lehmair. There are enough supplies from the varieties with oversupply – and the others are not cleared. “Nobody needs to be afraid.”