Hop cones and lupulin market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese hop market began the period with industry consolidation, as the formation of the Gansu YS Green Xin Beer Raw Material Group in 2018 created a national leader controlling nearly half of domestic production. However, a declining trend in overall beer output pressured demand for hops, contributing to a market volume drop to 11 679 t in 2019. The market then recovered to 12 395 t in 2020.

Post-2020, partnerships aimed at improving hop cultivation, such as Budweiser China's collaboration with Jintang Agriculture on indoor farming technology in 2021, targeted higher yields and quality. The easing of pandemic restrictions in 2022 led to a notable recovery in beer sales, driving hop demand and market volume to a peak of 12 490 t. By 2023, the market volume receded to 11 926 t, even as craft beer expansion with local flavors and ongoing premiumization in the beer industry continued to evolve.

The period was characterized by efforts to modernize hop farming and a clear shift in the downstream beer market towards premium products, which influenced the overall demand and value dynamics for hops.

Production hop cones and lupulin in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the fourth position globally in the production of hop cones and lupulin.

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, China's production of hop cones and lupulin rebounded. In 2020, output reached 8 018 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 7 806 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

China's hop cones and lupulin production value has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 44 819 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 10.6% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 40 050 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports hop cones and lupulin from China

Exports in kind, t

China's export volume of hop cones and lupulin has fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 58 tonnes, down by 43.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 67.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 31.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, India, and Germany were the key partners for China's hop cones and lupulin exports in volume terms, accounting for 20.9%, 15.8%, and 15.6% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 52.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's export value of hop cones and lupulin has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 326 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decrease of 38.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 64.2%, with an annualized rate of decline of 29.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Germany, and India remained the top markets for China's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 50.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to China

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, China's import volume of hop cones and lupulin was 4 434 tonnes, an increase of 11.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 19.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 4 749 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 28.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Czechia dominated China's hop cones and lupulin imports in volume terms, together accounting for 80.1% of total imports, while the rest was spread across other destinations with smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, China's import value of hop cones and lupulin reached 48 460 thousand US dollars, showing a notable increase of 19.1% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 35.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 48 931 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 37.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and the United States led as the main suppliers of hop cones and lupulin to China in value terms, with shares of 44.6%, 30.8%, and 14.2%, respectively. Their combined share totaled 89.6% of all imports.

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

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