Hop cones and lupulin market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for hop cones and lupulin in Russia expanded from 3 271 t in 2018 to 3 537 t in 2020. This initial growth was underpinned by the development of the craft brewing sector, which increased demand for hops. The market's fundamental reliance on imports, as domestic production covered only about 10% of needs, established a pattern where volume movements were tied to external supply. In 2020, the influence of the US dollar exchange rate on import and export costs contributed to a rise in import volumes, supporting further market growth.

Market growth accelerated from 3 676 t in 2021 to a peak of 4 503 t in 2022. The geopolitical situation and sanctions in 2022 intensified the dependence on imported supplies, leading to a surge in import volumes that drove the market expansion. This occurred alongside growth in the domestic brewing industry, which continued to stimulate demand. Internal production remained minimal, satisfying only 3-5% of consumption, with imports primarily sourced from Germany.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 3 080 t as import volumes fell significantly. Despite reported growth in Russian beer production and increasing interest from large businesses in domestic hop farming—including investments in new processing complexes—the sharp reduction in imports led to the overall market decline. The industry's capacity remained limited, covering just 5-7% of national demand, highlighting its ongoing structural import dependency.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia ranked 21st 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

Russia's production of hop cones and lupulin has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 221.1 tonnes, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 7.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 144.0 tonnes, when output fell by 17.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 42.4%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for hop cones and lupulin from Russia displayed significant volatility during the observed years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 44 tonnes, which was 37.9% lower than the previous year. They then surged by 110.8% in 2019, reaching a peak of 127 tonnes in 2020—a 36.5% increase from 2019. Overall, exports varied by 2.9 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Russia's hop cones and lupulin exports in volume terms were Kazakhstan, accounting for 32.9% of exports, Ukraine with 25.9%, and Kyrgyzstan at 12.8%. Together, these three countries made up 71.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of hop cones and lupulin exports from Russia also experienced notable fluctuations. In 2018, exports dropped to their minimum of 782 thousand US dollars, declining by 11.2%. They rebounded sharply in 2019, increasing by 84.8%, and reached 2 623 thousand US dollars in 2020—an 81.4% rise from the previous year. Over this period, export values varied by 3.4 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

In terms of value, Ukraine was the largest buyer of Russian hop cones and lupulin from 2017 to 2020, representing 37.2% of exports. Kazakhstan followed with 28.2%, and Belarus accounted for 8.8%. Combined, these three countries comprised 74.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's imports of hop cones and lupulin have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 3 171 tonnes, marking a measured rise of 6.8% compared to 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.5%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 2.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 171 tonnes, with a drop of 14.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading supplier of hop cones and lupulin to Russia in volume terms, making up 60.5% of imports. Belarus contributed 14.9%, and the United States accounted for 8.8%. Together, these three countries formed 84.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of hop cones and lupulin imports into Russia amounted to 40 672 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 7.1% from 2019. Over the years 2017 to 2020, import values grew by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The only decline occurred in 2019, with a slight decrease of 1.3%.

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

In value terms, Germany dominated Russia's imports of hop cones and lupulin from 2017 to 2020, accounting for 63.9% of the total. The United States was next with 15.7%, followed by Czechia at 9.8%. These three markets together represented 89.4% of import flows.

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

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