Growers are the weakest group in the hop and beer market in Poland

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection in Poland conducted a study on the domestic beer market and raw material sourcing for the years 2019-2022, focusing on the relationship between agricultural producers, intermediaries, and large breweries. The study highlighted the dominant position of retail chains and noted that Polish hop growers face significant challenges, including pressure to reduce prices, small plantation sizes, and competition from both domestic and international sources. Despite lower prices, the largest Polish beer producers imported most of their hops abroad due to quality concerns. The market is dominated by three large producers accounting for approximately 80% of beer sales, while the remaining 13 producers, including craft brewers, accounted for nearly 20% of sales. The Office suggested strategies to increase the competitiveness of the hop and beer industry, including increasing cultivation scales, promoting energy efficiency, supporting the craft beer segment, and enhancing cooperation between growers and processors.