Landwirtschaft: Sinkender Bierkonsum und Hitze: Hopfenpflanzer in Dauerkrise

Deutschland's hop growers face an increasingly dire situation as global beer consumption declines and rising temperatures threaten their livelihoods. The German Association of Hop Growers reported that these growers, mostly based in Bavaria, could see a sharp decline in revenue, from 80 to 100 million euros, down from an average of 300 million euros.

Bavarian Verband President Adi Schapfl explained that many family-run businesses are now facing severe economic challenges, with bad harvests and prices having persisted for four years.

The decline in beer consumption worldwide has contributed to the oversupply of hops, creating global excess capacity. Despite this, hop acreage has remained stable, but the upcoming harvest is expected to be poor, with only 33,800 tons forecast, a decrease of over 9,000 tons or 17% compared to the previous year. Schapfl noted that "2026 has once again sadly highlighted how climate change can cause huge, existential difficulties." Additionally, the number of hop farms has declined as several dozen businesses have closed.

The president of the association emphasized that state and European support for irrigation infrastructure is essential for the survival of hop cultivation in Germany. State-of-the-art hops are a niche crop, with 18,000 hectares currently under cultivation, the majority in Bavaria's Hallertau region. Schapfl stated that Germany is the world's largest hop producer, accounting for more than a third of global production, followed by the United States and the Czech Republic. Most of this crop is exported.

However, there is no sign of better times ahead. Global hop dealer Barth Haas in Nuremberg predicts more challenging years for hop growers worldwide. With average yields, excess hop supplies will necessitate further reductions in acreage to balance supply and demand, according to Thomas Raiser, the company's managing director. The harvest is poor not only in Germany but across Europe due to heat and drought during the growing season.

These impacts are likely to be negative for hop growers and traders, as lower revenues and reduced contents will follow.