USA: 2022 hop crop down 12.31% versus 2021 record production

An atypical spring in the Pacific Northwest defined 2022 as a challenging year for U.S. hop production, hastening a crop 12.31% lower than 2021’s record year at 102.2 million pounds, the recent Hop Growers of America‘s 2022 Statistical Report says.

With 61,177 acres U.S. hop acreage remained stable, marking a slight 2 percent decline. For the fifth year in a row Citra® HBC 394 remained dominant in acreage, amassing a total of 12,044 acres and comprising 20 percent of Pacific Northwest acreage. This year Citra® HBC 394 climbed to the new height of alone accounting for more acres than the entire high alpha category in the United States. Mosaic® HBC 369 held onto second place with 6,501 acres. This year Cascade acreage rose 18%, surpassing high alpha CTZ to secure third place.

While total acreage in the Pacific Northwest declined by 2%, aroma acreage increased by 2% while high alpha varieties dropped 16% to approximately 11,000 acres. In 2022 82 percent of Pacific Northwest acreage was dedicated to aroma and dual-purpose varieties, and 18 percent was allocated to alpha varieties. Just 10 years ago the Pacific Northwest grew 50% aroma and dual-purpose varieties and 50% alpha varieties.

A rare La Niña climate pattern ushered among the coldest and wettest spring months in the recorded history of the Pacific Northwest hop growing regions and critically delayed the development of the hop crop. Challenged by this race against time to coax hops to maturity, the situation was exacerbated in late summer when hosts of 100-degree days ripped across the Pacific Northwest and triggered the plants to suspend cone ripening. These key factors contributed to lower yields of 1,694 pounds per acre, nearly 11% below the 10-year average of 1,889 pounds per acre.

2022’s production decreased to 102.2 million pounds, which includes an estimate for farms not counted by USDA-NASS. NASS only surveys the PNW – Washington, Oregon, and Idaho – as they grow the majority of the US crop and are the modern traditional home of the US commercial hop industry. HGA’s network of contacts across the country provided estimates for acreage and yields – this year the survey calculated an estimate of 1,387 acres outside of the PNW yielding 900,000 pounds.

Washington production represented 71% of the Pacific Northwest, followed by Idaho with 16% and Oregon with 13%. The remaining states commercial hop production is estimated at 900,000 pounds. States outside the Pacific Northwest experienced fair growing conditions with optimal precipitation, controlled pest pressures, and above-average yields.

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