Hop cones and lupulin market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for hop cones and lupulin in Southern Europe showed moderate movements, starting at 7 932 metric tons in 2018 and dipping slightly to 7 809 metric tons in 2019. In 2020, the market grew to 8 050 metric tons. This increase coincided with a rise in the number of farms dedicated to hop cultivation in Italy, reaching 165 operations, supported by ideal growing conditions and a expanding craft brewery sector which bolstered demand.

The market volume fell sharply to 6 460 metric tons in 2021, a year marked by persistent supply chain challenges such as the lack of authorized plant protection products for hops. A recovery followed in 2022, with volume reaching 7 917 metric tons, driven by a significant 23.7% expansion of cultivated area in Italy and an 8.9% increase in the number of involved farms. Growth continued in 2023, with market volume peaking at 8 939 metric tons. This occurred despite a global contraction in hop production due to extreme weather that reduced European harvests, as local Italian cultivation increased and demand for hop pellets grew, linked to the craft beer segment.

Production hop cones and lupulin in Southern 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

In Southern Europe, hop cones and lupulin production reached 5 729 tonnes in 2020, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 4.9%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.1%, which translates to a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 834 tonnes, when output surged by 23.3%. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline, dropping by 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of hop cones and lupulin production in Southern Europe stood at 64 465 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a sharp gain of 26.1% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 10.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, when value rose by 26.9%.

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

Exports hop cones and lupulin from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Southern Europe's exports of hop cones and lupulin declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. Export volume totaled 2 053 tonnes, down by 34.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 111 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 12.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the leading buyer of hop cones and lupulin from Southern Europe, accounting for 53.0% of exports in kind. The United Kingdom followed with 10.5%, and China with 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 73.6% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Hop cones and lupulin exports from Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Export value amounted to 23 106 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 20.6% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.3%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 31 356 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary destination for hop cones and lupulin exports from Southern Europe in value terms, making up 46.0% of total exports. China accounted for 11.3%, and the United Kingdom for 10.4%. Combined, these three markets represented 67.7% of the total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports hop cones and lupulin to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's imports of hop cones and lupulin declined in 2020 after two years of growth. Import volume stood at 4 374 tonnes, down by 19.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 5 457 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 19.9%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany was the key supplier of hop cones and lupulin to Southern Europe, accounting for 85.6% of total imports in kind. The remaining imports came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of hop cones and lupulin to Southern Europe declined in 2020 after two years of increase. Import value was approximately 31 336 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decline of 2.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 32.1%, with an annualized rate of 9.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 32 122 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a gain of 19.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom—together absorbed 83.2% of the total import value of hop cones and lupulin to Southern Europe.

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

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