Slight deficit in alpha acid production in the 2013 brewing year

The Barth Report Hops 2013/2014 shows a slight deficit in the 2013 brewing year (2012 hop crop) after four years with large alpha surpluses.

With respect to the market as a whole, a balance between demand and production thus seems to have been reached. The low alpha production in crop year 2013, due mainly to weather conditions, has led to a deficit in the 2014 brewing year. Nevertheless, the surpluses – mostly of high alpha hops – accumulated in crop years 2008 to 2011 continue to depress the market. Estimated alpha demand for the 2014 brewing year is based on an increase in beer output volume of approx. 1.5%.