Hop cones and lupulin market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish hop cones and lupulin market experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2023. In 2019, the market volume contracted to 2 414 t, coinciding with Grupa Żywiec's forecast of a possible decline in beer sales due to rising energy, raw material, and packaging costs alongside persistent inflation, which dampened demand for hop inputs. The market recovered to 2 821 t in 2020, a year characterized by stable average purchase prices for hop cones despite increasing production costs, which may have supported trading activity.

After a drop to 2 134 t in 2021, the market volume grew to 2 267 t in 2022. That year, the sector faced intense pressure from imports of processed hops, mainly from Germany, while the average alpha acid content in Polish hops rose above 9%, enhancing its quality competitiveness. The market also continued to feel the effects of the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the market saw a slight reduction to 2 194 t, with Poland maintaining its position among the world's top five hop producers, but the industry remained in a challenging state where only the most resilient growers persisted.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Poland ranked 6th globally in hop cones and lupulin production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of hop cones and lupulin, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Poland produced 3,640 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin, marking a slight contraction of 3.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 3,210 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 3,770 tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2019, at 17.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Poland's hop cones and lupulin production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at $22.5 million, up 2.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 15.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Poland

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 893 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 2,104 tonnes, representing a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, Poland exported 1,545 tonnes of hop cones and lupulin, a 26.6% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 29.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 135.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the key export partner for Poland in volume terms, accounting for 93.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values varied by a factor of two, with the low in 2018 at $6.1 million and the high in 2019 at $12.3 million. In 2020, hop cones and lupulin exports from Poland amounted to $9.5 million, a significant reduction of 22.3% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 102.0%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Germany was by far the main destination for Poland's hop cones and lupulin exports in value terms, accounting for 90.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Poland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Poland's import volumes of hop cones and lupulin declined. In 2020, imports totaled 726 tonnes, a small decline of 2.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 68.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 747 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 44.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the principal source for Poland's hop cones and lupulin imports in volume terms, accounting for 84.9% of total imports, with other destinations forming a less significant share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Poland's import value of hop cones and lupulin increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at $8.5 million, up 12.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 70%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%.

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

In 2017-2020, Germany and the United States were the dominant sources for Poland's hop cones and lupulin imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.8% of total flows, with the remainder going to other markets.

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

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