USA: Yakima Valley hop growers increase acreage by 30%

With the beginning of harvest 2008, Yakima Valley farmers are excited for the first time in a decade, KAPPTV.com posted on August 25.

Though until a year ago supply and demand for hops were not at their highest, growers are now able to invest in their businesses again, which has lead to nearly 7,000 additional acres of hop-fields in the Yakima Valley.

The 30% increase in acreage is pumping roughly $87 million into the region’s economy.

The next generation of hop farmers may have a bright future to look forward to. Hops are a natural antibacterial agent, so the industry is currently studying ways to use them for something other than brewing. Possible future uses of hops include the production of sugar and ethanol, and even as a substitute for antibiotics used on livestock.

26 August, 2008