USA: US hop acreage hits another record in 2021

U.S. hop acreage strung in the Pacific Northwest hit another record high in 2021. Approximately 60,750 acres were strung this year, an increase of 4 percent over 2020. All three Pacific Northwest States (WA, ID, and OR) increased acreage, Hopsteiner said in their 2021 U.S. Hop Crop Report on October 24.

Washington led the way in terms of U.S. hop acreage, accounting for 71 percent of the hop crop (43,380 acres). Idaho accounted for 16% (9,784 acres). Oregon accounted for 13% (7,571 acres).

The yield estimates are expected to hit 1,915 pounds per acre, up 8 percent over 2020, with a production forecast of 116 million pounds produced.

The top five hop varieties, those with the most acreage, accounted for 53 percent of the total U.S. acreage strung for 2021.

The top five varieties in terms of acreage:

Citra 11,994 acres
Mosaic 6,374 acres
CTZ* 5,593 acres
Cascade 4,208 acres
Simcoe 4,151 acres

Notable varieties that increased by greater than 50% in strung acreage in 2021 compared to 2020:

Cashmere (+59%) to 908 total acres)
Mt. Rainier (+61%) 440 total acres
Tahoma™ (+103%) 486 total acres

Notable varieties that increased by greater than 20 percent in strung acreage in 2021 compared to 2020:

Bravo™ (+21%) to 256 total acres
Eureka™ (+21%) 790 total acres
Saaz (+27%) 380 total acres
Triumph (+41%) 55 total aces

Notable varies that decreased by greater than 20 percent in 2021 compared to 2020:

Ahtanum™ (-27%) to 168 total acres
Centennial(-23%) 2,258 total acres
Ekuanot™ (-24%) 487 total acres
Fuggle (-48%) 18 total acres
Mt. Hood (-21%) 164 total acres
Nugget (-31%) 611 total acres
Summit™ (-32%) 438 total acres
Warrior (-38%) 177 total acres

*CTZ is an acronym for three varieties of hops (Columbus, Tomahawk, and Zeus) that are produced by three different companies. The three varieties are practically indistinguishable. Some brewers refer to them as CTZ while others refer to them using the individual name.

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