Hop cones and lupulin market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for hop cones and lupulin in Northern Europe saw substantial growth in volume from 2 941 t in 2018 to 7 220 t in 2022. This expansion was supported by the launch of new hop-centric beer products, such as the Yggdrasil series introduced by Vinmonopolet in 2021, which utilized dry hopping to maximize aroma and spurred demand from microbreweries and local brewers. After this peak, the market volume moderated to 5 902 t in 2023.

Local hop production remained constrained by climatic conditions unsuitable for large-scale commercial cultivation, as noted in available sources. However, interest in small-scale and hobby cultivation increased, alongside the development of new, efficient hop products like lupulin-enriched extracts (cryohops and hophash). These innovations allowed breweries to achieve stronger aroma and bitterness using smaller quantities of raw material, influencing market dynamics.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Northern Europe

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

Northern Europe's production of hop cones and lupulin has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,337 tons, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 79.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin production has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 20,767 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 11.9% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, production jumped by 120.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 30.1%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Hop cones and lupulin exports from Northern Europe have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments totaled 1,857 tons, down 8.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 2,131 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 5.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Russia, and the United States were the key destinations for Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 20.6% of exports, Russia for 17.7%, and the United States for 12.4%, together making up 50.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 28,844 thousand US dollars, a slight 1.3% drop from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 13.3%, with an average annual rate of 4.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 29,234 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms were spread across many markets. Russia led with 13.3% of exports, followed by Germany at 11.2% and the United States at 9.5%, together accounting for 34.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Northern Europe imported hop cones and lupulin totaling 4,157 tons in 2020, a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 4,157 tons, which also experienced the largest drop of 21.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Germany, and Slovenia were the main sources of hop cones and lupulin imports to Northern Europe in volume terms. The United States contributed 41.1% of imports, Germany 31.7%, and Slovenia 4.6%, together representing 77.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin imports were valued at 84,076 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 70,750 thousand US dollars, which also had the largest decline of 16.6%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with an 18.9% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, Germany, and Belgium were the primary sources for Northern Europe's hop cones and lupulin imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 46.2% of imports, Germany for 26.9%, and Belgium for 5.9%, together making up 79.0% of total flows.

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

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