The Czech Republic: Hop acreage virtually unchanged in 2021

In the Czech Republic, the number of hop growers decreased by three, bringing the total number of producers to 121 for crop 2021. The average hop acreage per farm rose from 40 ha to 41 ha year on year, the Barth-Haas Group said in its annual report.

Although hop acreage remained virtually unchanged, there were some changes in the varietal mix. Saaz (-33 ha) and Kazbek (-4 ha) hops were grubbed out and replaced with Premiant (21 ha), Sladek (9 ha) and Agnus (8 ha).

Aroma varieties were cultivated on slightly more than 98 % of acreage; the rest were bitter varieties. The Žatec (Saaz) production region accounts for 77 % of the total hop acreage
in the Czech Republic.

On the basis of average yields per hectare, the 2021 crop was almost completely sold out on account of existing forward contracts. Due to the above-average crop yields, spot hops were available. The growers’ forward contract prices were 190 to 220 CZK/kg (7.50 to 8.70 EUR/kg). For the spot hops, they received an average of 150 CZK/kg (5.90 EUR/kg). The growers were able to sell all of their hops. In spring 2022, trading companies held approximately 250 to 300 t of
unsold hops.

A reduction in acreage of about 45 ha is expected for 2022 (Saaz -62 ha, Saaz Late -12 ha, Sladek +22 ha., Agnus +10 ha). The 2022 crop can already be considered to be sold out, as forward contracts account for almost 100 % of the crop volume, the hop growers said.

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