Cheers to a Record Year for American-Grown Hops

Posted by Christina Herrick|January 8, 2019

Production of hops continues to climb in the U.S., with a record high of 107 million pounds harvested in the 2018 season, according to figures from the USDA. This number is up slightly (1%) from the previous year.

Combined area of hops harvested for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in 2018 totaled a record high 55,035 acres, up 2% from the 2017 figures of 53,989 acres. Harvested acreage increased in Idaho and Washington but declined in Oregon.

Hop yield in the U.S., though, declined by 13 pounds from a year ago. The value of production also is down 1 % from 2017.

Washington produced 73% of the U.S. hop crop for 2018; while Idaho accounted for 15% and Oregon accounted for 12%. ‘Cascade,’ ‘Citra,’ ‘Zeus,’ ‘Centennial,’ ‘Simcoe,’ and ‘C/T/Z’ were the six leading varieties in Washington, accounting for 49% of the state’s hop production. In Idaho, ‘Zeus,’ ‘Chinook,’ ‘Amarillo,’ ‘Cascade,’ ‘Citra,’ and ‘Mosaic’ were the major varieties, accounting for 70% of the State’s hop production. In Oregon, ‘Nugget,’ ‘Cascade,’ ‘Willamette,’ and ‘Citra’ were the major varieties, accounting for 52% of the state’s hop production.

Meanwhile, nontraditional hop-producing areas like Florida continue to find a foothold and niche with local craft beer brewers.