MOXEE — U.S. hop growers, the bulk operating from the Yakima Valley, are predicting they will harvest 5 percent more hops this year compared to 2014.
In spite of heat stress and water shortages that may have reduced yields, a surge in new acres driven by the expansion of the craft beer industry will push this year’s harvest to 74.5 million pounds, 3.5 million higher than last year, according to a news release from the Moxee-based Hop Growers of America.
The Yakima Valley produces more than 70 percent of the nation’s hops, used in the flavoring of beer.
The United States added 6,000 new hop acres this year, a 15 percent jump over 2014, according to the release, more than making up for reduced yields on certain varieties by 10 percent to 15 percent due to the weather this summer.