Rheinland-Pfalz hop farmer expects lower yields due to heat

Andreas Dick, the sole hop farmer in Rheinland-Pfalz, expects a significantly lower harvest following a summer of extreme heat. The farmer in Holsthum anticipates a yield of between 500 and 600 hundredweight, a notable decrease from the approximately 900 hundredweight harvested in 2025.

Dick reported that the hops suffered “considerable heat damage” during a period in late June when temperatures reached between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius. This heat prevented the plants from growing to their full height and damaged the tips. While recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have improved the quality and size of the flower heads, the overall volume remains impacted.

The entire harvest of ‘Bitburger Siegelhopfen’ is designated for the Bitburger Brewery. To mitigate future climate risks, Dick is considering protective measures for his 15-hectare cultivation area, such as planting fast-growing trees to provide shade.