Hop cones and lupulin market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German hop cones and lupulin market volume grew from 22 513 t in 2018 to 29 767 t in 2019, driven by the rising popularity of craft beer, which boosted demand for diverse hop varieties, particularly bitter hops. Key market players focused on producing specialized hop products and pursued mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their positions during this expansion.

Market volume slightly contracted to 28 868 t in 2020 and 28 152 t in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic stagnated global beer sales, reducing hop demand. Simultaneously, a worldwide reduction in hop cultivation areas and a consumer shift toward alcohol-free and craft beers, which often use hops more efficiently or in smaller quantities, contributed to the decline.

A sharp drop to 17 069 t occurred in 2022 after crop and quality losses in German hop production, resulting from reduced availability of approved pesticides that impaired yields. Increased costs from higher truck tolls and CO2 levies on diesel fuel added pressure. The market partially recovered to 27 106 t in 2023 as the global beer market stabilized, though hop farmers continued to manage high inventories and price pressure.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Germany ranked as the world's third-largest producer of hop cones and lupulin between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of growth, Germany's production of hop cones and lupulin declined in 2020. That year, output reached 46 900 tonnes, representing a 3.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production rose by 44.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 48 500 tonnes, while the strongest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 28.6% surge.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of gains, the value of Germany's hop cones and lupulin production fell in 2020. Output was valued at 537.1 million US dollars that year, marking a 1.0% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 57.4%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 542.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual rise taking place in 2018 at 36.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany exported 25 891 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin in 2020, showing a slight increase of 1.7% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 453 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 26 315 tonnes. The most significant decline happened in 2019 at 3.3%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 2.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The United States accounted for 12.8% of exports, Japan for 10.1%, and Russia for 8.6%. Together, these three markets represented just 31.4% of total export flows, with the remaining 68.6% spread across numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's hop cones and lupulin exports were valued at 296.5 million US dollars, reflecting a modest year-over-year increase of 4.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 10.5%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 3.4%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 at 2.7%, while the strongest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 9.0% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany supplied hop cones and lupulin to a wide array of markets. The United States accounted for 13.4% of export value, Russia for 10.1%, and Japan for 8.5%. Combined, these three countries made up only 31.9% of total export value, with the remaining 68.1% coming from many smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Germany's import volumes of hop cones and lupulin rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 7 859 tonnes that year, up by 17.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, import volumes increased by 5.7%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 720 tonnes, with the largest annual decrease occurring in 2018 at 5.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland was the leading source of Germany's hop cones and lupulin imports in volume terms, accounting for 26.7% of the total. Slovenia followed with 21.8%, and Czechia with 21.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 69.9% of Germany's import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of contraction, the value of Germany's hop cones and lupulin imports from abroad rose sharply in 2020. Imports amounted to 78.8 million US dollars, representing a strong 22.3% year-over-year improvement. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64.4 million US dollars, with the most significant decline also occurring that year at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia was the top supplier of hop cones and lupulin to Germany in value terms, accounting for 22.0% of imports. Czechia followed with 21.7%, and the United States with 18.9%. Collectively, these three countries comprised 62.6% of Germany's total import value.

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

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