Czech hop harvest slightly above average after favorable weather

This year’s Czech hop harvest is expected to be slightly above average, according to preliminary estimates, Luboš Hejda, head of the Czech Hop Growers Association, told the Czech News Agency. Favorable weather boosted yields and quality, supporting strong levels of alpha bitter acids.

Production is projected at about 6,900 tonnes of dried hops, roughly matching last year’s 6,494 tonnes. Hops were grown on around 4,800 hectares — half a percent less than in 2023 and 200 hectares fewer than in 2018.

The Žatec region remains the largest with 3,690 hectares, followed by Úštěk with 500 and Tršice with 622. The traditional Žatec semi-early red bine variety still dominates, and growers expect stable acreage as demand for fine aroma hops endures despite lower beer consumption.