Made in Italy hops, a lively but fragmented production landscape

Approximately 100 hectares planted with hops are estimated in Italy, a crop yet to be discovered but which in recent years has been catching the spotlight, also thanks to the success that craft breweries are experiencing which, due to lack of raw material in Italy, are address abroad. In fact, the data provided by Ismea show that, in the last five years, the import of hops in dry cones and in pellet form has steadily increased reaching, in 2019, 4,192 tons, almost entirely from Germany. The hops have been planted in Italy, especially by young farmers on the wave of enthusiasm and only for a few years has the supply chain been trying to structure itself. We therefore asked ourselves how much it costs to plant a hectare of hops and what are the associated investment costs in general, as well as understanding how much can be gained from selling hops to breweries. The figures circulating among those who have already chosen to devote themselves to this crop are between 35 thousand and ...