NW Hops Harvest Looking Good

Beer lovers should be happy with this year’s hops harvest in the Northwest.  Jaki Brophy, with the Washington Hop Commission, said 2018 looks like an “average year”.

“It’s not going to be a bumper crop as far as we know.  There were some split slum issues this year.  But as I’ve heard about them, it’s mostly on varieties we don’t mind that happening to, but overall, it looks like the crop is average this year, which we are happy about.

Brophy noted after a few years of pretty steady growth in demand, things look to be leveling off somewhat.

“The stocks report which is also something we keep a close eye on, it was a September 1^st report released by USDA NASS, and basically it lets us know what is left over from the prior year harvest, for all in intents and purposes, and it shows, we’re increasing on that a little bit in volume but it’s decreased a little bit in overall usage of the crop itself.”

But, Brophy was quick to note there is still a surplus.  More than 70% of all North American hops are grown in Washington, 15% are grown in Oregon, and 11% in Idaho.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com