Hop crop in Germany down by 21% due to drought

German hop farmers are facing a significant challenge as they estimate their hop harvest to be 21% lower due to extreme heat and drought conditions, resulting in a projected yield of just under 37,700 tons. Despite the reduced yield, production costs have surged by over 25%, whereas sales prices for most of the harvests are already secured until 2024. This discrepancy poses a significant financial strain on farmers, especially given that Germany, hosting a third of the world's hop cultivation, is experiencing challenges in introducing new hop varieties that are more resilient to these climate conditions and less prone to diseases. However, the association highlights a disparity between the interest in these new varieties among hop growers and the willingness of the brewing industry to adopt them, as brewers remain hesitant to switch to new hop recipes and continue to purchase only limited quantities of these sustainable hops.