Smaller U.S. Hops Crop Seen

WASHINGTON - Aug 10/12 - SNS -- Hop production in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington is forecast at 61.5 million pounds for 2012, down 5% from last year, according to the latest USDA crop estimate.

Area strung for harvest, at 30,808 acres, is up 3% from 2011. Yield is forecast at 1,995 pounds per acre, 180 pounds less than 2011.

In Washington and Oregon, the cool start to the growing season was followed by more normal growing conditions. Irrigation water was adequate and disease pressure from mildews was average. Lower forecasted yields were mostly due to new plantings and a shift to Aroma hop varieties. Harvest is expected to be underway by mid to late-August. In Idaho, hotter than normal temperatures lowered yield expectations.

Hop Area Harvested, Yield, and Production - States and United States: 2011 and
Forecasted August 1, 2012
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              :    Area harvested     :    Yield per acre     :      Production
     State    :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
              :   2011    :   2012    :   2011    :   2012    :   2011    :   2012
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              :  ------ acres -----       ----- pounds ----     --- 1,000 pounds ---
              :
Idaho ........:   2,265       2,449       2,408       2,045      5,454.1     5,008.2
Oregon .......:   4,202       4,122       1,908       1,670      8,019.4     6,883.7
Washington ...:  23,320      24,237       2,200       2,045     51,308.1    49,564.7
              :
United States :  29,787      30,808       2,175       1,995     64,781.6    61,456.6
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