German hop industry faces surplus and falling prices

The German hop industry is facing significant structural challenges due to a global market surplus and falling prices. In 2026, hop cultivation in Germany is expected to cover 17,861 hectares, a decrease of approximately 1,100 hectares from the previous year. This decline follows a period where the global harvest of alpha acid exceeded total brewery demand by roughly 5,100 hectares worth of area.

Economic pressures are mounting as free-market hop prices have occasionally dropped to around one euro per kilogram, while cultivation costs can reach up to 10,000 euros per hectare annually. Consequently, 62 businesses have completely ceased hop production, and some growers in regions like Hallertau are removing long-standing wire trellis systems.

Despite these industry struggles, cultural traditions remain strong in certain regions. In Spalt, the HopfenZupferFest 2026 will celebrate hop cultivation, which has been officially recognized in the Bavarian State Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival includes traditional activities such as hop picking, brewery tours, and the election of a new Hopfenkönigin.