Hop cones and lupulin market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian hop cones and lupulin market volume fluctuated between 20 126 t and 22 490 t from 2018 to 2023. In 2018, the market reached 22 490 t, supported by the initiation of hop cultivation in India's Bihar state with government agricultural research backing, which expanded regional supply. A decline to 20 126 t followed in 2019, before a recovery to 22 170 t in 2020.

Market volume then dipped to 21 055 t in 2021, coinciding with the rebound of hop production in Europe, particularly in Germany, where high contract prices for high-alpha varieties likely restrained import flows into Asia. The subsequent rise to 22 344 t in 2022 was driven by increased production and consumption in China, where growing craft beer demand boosted needs for fresh hops and hop extracts.

By 2023, the market volume decreased to 20 161 t, while the Chinese market evolved toward greater diversification and quality focus, emphasizing the development of functional and safety-oriented hop products. The trend toward premiumization and diversification continued into 2024, characterized by rising youth demand for craft beer and expanded consumption of high-alpha acid and fresh hops, indicating a shift toward more specialized products.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

World map of production of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, hop cones and lupulin production in Asia rebounded with an increase. In 2020, Asia produced 10,670 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin, marking a 1.9% rise from the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 10,476 tonnes, with that year also seeing the steepest decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of hop cones and lupulin from Asia continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 115 tonnes, representing a 15.4% drop compared to the prior year. Over the span from 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 70.3%, averaging an annualized decline of 33.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of hop cones and lupulin from Asia in kind were relatively evenly distributed. France accounted for 2.8% of these exports, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified, at 2.6%, and Spain at 2.2%. Together, these three destinations made up just 7.6% of the total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Hop cones and lupulin exports from Asia in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.0 million US dollars, which is 19.4% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 37.4%, with an average annualized rate of decline of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports of hop cones and lupulin from Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Germany held 9.5% of the export value, Brazil accounted for 8.9%, and France made up 7.0%. Combined, these three countries captured only 25.4% of the total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Asia's imports of hop cones and lupulin in kind reached 11,615 tonnes, showing a significant increase of 18.7% from the previous year. The lowest import level was recorded in 2019 at 9,786 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 12,057 tonnes. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated imports of hop cones and lupulin in kind to Asia, accounting for 60.1% of the total. Czechia followed with 19.5%, and the United States contributed 11.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 91.4% of all import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, hop cones and lupulin imports to Asia in value terms stood at 140.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 114.5 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 145.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Germany, Czechia, and the United States—remained central to imports of hop cones and lupulin in value terms, collectively accounting for 92.3% of the total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020