Bumper Czech hop harvest predicted

Czech farmers are predicting a bumper harvest of hops this year which could reach around 6,500 tonnes. That would put the harvest on a par with the results from the last two very good years. One factor that contributed to the favourable outlook is the sudden cooler spells in June and July which stopped the plant maturing too early. Recent rains have also helped. Hop prices are however set to drop due to increased production worldwide and the fact that breweries have accumulated stocks of hops due to decreased production.