Little Change in Hop Stocks

WASHINGTON - Sep 19/08 - SNS -- The inventory of hops held by growers, dealers and brewers on September 1, 2008, totaled 47.0 million pounds, unchanged from last year, but 4 percent less than September 1, 2006, reports the USDA. As with last year, this is the lowest September 1 inventory since 1981 when stocks were 34.4 million pounds.

Stocks held by brewers, at 29.0 million pounds, were down 6 percent from the previous year and 17 percent below two years ago. Stocks held by growers and dealers on September 1, 2008 were 18.0 million pounds, 13 percent more than September 1, 2007 and 29 percent more than September 1, 2006.

               Hops: Stocks Held by Growers, Dealers, and Brewers,
                            United States, 2006-2008
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                    :           March 1           :         September 1
      Stocks 1/     :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    :  2006   :  2007   :  2008   :  2006   :  2007   :  2008
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                    :                       1,000 Pounds
                    :
Stocks Held by:     :
                    :
  Dealers/Growers   : 30,000    28,000    30,000    14,000    16,000    18,000
  Brewers           : 39,000    42,000    36,000    35,000    31,000    29,000
                    :
  Total Stocks      : 69,000    70,000    66,000    49,000    47,000    47,000
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1/  Includes equivalent pounds of dry hops held in form of extract or pellets.