CEG Hops
The term hops encompass three main categories of products:
- Hop cones (fresh or dried)
- Processed hops (in powder or pellet form)
- Hop extracts
Approximately 2,600 farms across the European Union cultivate hops, covering a total of 26,500 hectares - accounting for 60% of the global hop-growing area.
Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) are grown in 14 EU countries, with Germany leading the production. Germany's hop cultivation spans ~20,000 hectares (year 2024), representing ~60% of the EU's hop-growing area and roughly one-third of the world's hop acreage. Other major EU producers include Czechia, Poland, and Slovenia.
Despite the historical significance of hop cultivation in Europe, the total acreage is gradually shrinking. One key reason for this decline is the increasing yield of alpha acids - the compounds responsible for beer's bitterness and aroma — while their use in brewing continues to decrease.
Production
The European Union produces approximately 50,000 tonnes of hops annually, with an alpha acid output exceeding 5,000 tonnes.
Globally, annual hop production fluctuates between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes, yielding around 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes of alpha acid. The estimated demand for alpha acid is 8,000 tonnes, based on an average requirement of 4.1 grams per hectolitre of beer. However, hop content varies depending on the beer style, bitterness level, and hop variety used.
Despite increasing global beer production, alpha acid demand remains relatively stable. Since supply currently exceeds demand, hop prices on both the contract and free markets have remained relatively low since 2009.
Chair(s) and co-Chair(s)
- Chair(s):
- Magda Rak Cizej, representative of Slovenia, since October 2022.
- Co-Chair(s):
- Simon Euringer, representative of Germany, since October 2023.
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