2015 Hop Production Up 11 Percent From Last Year
Production for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in 2015 totaled 78.8 million pounds, up 11 percent from the 2014 crop of 71.0 million pounds. Production increased in all three States; 30 percent in Oregon, 26 percent in Idaho, and 6 percent in Washington. Acreage increased in all three States; 22 percent in Oregon, 30 percent in Idaho, and 11 percent in Washington. United States yield at 1,807 pounds per acre, decreased 61 pounds from a year ago. These are the highest acres harvested and production on record in Idaho going back to 1944 and the highest acres harvested on record in Washington going back to 1915.
Washington growers produced 75 percent of the United States hop crop in 2015. Cascade, Zeus, Simcoe, Centennial, and Columbus/Tomahawk, were the leading varieties in Washington, accounting for 52 percent of the State's hop crop. In Oregon, Nugget and Cascade were the major varieties, accounting for 47 percent of the State's hop production. In Idaho, Zeus, Cascade, and Chinook were the major varieties, accounting for 44 percent of the State's hop production.
The preliminary 2015 value of production of the United States hop crop is $345.4 million, up 33 percent from the revised 2014 value of $260.6 million. Record high prices received by growers at the United States and Washington levels were realized in 2015. The increased value can be attributed to higher production and hop production shifting from Alpha varieties to Aroma varieties that are higher in value. Increased demand from the craft brewing sector has also increased prices for hops.
Source: USDA