USA: US hop growers produce the largest crop in years

A thirst for craft beer helped hop growers produce their largest crop of hops in years.

A new report from the Hop Growers of America also shows a 10 per cent increase in acres harvested between 2013 and 2014.

The Yakima Valley produces about 77 per cent of the US hops.

In 2014, nearly 29,000 acres of hops were harvested in Washington state, representing about three-fourths of the country's total.

In Oregon, about 5,400 acres were harvested last year, up about 12 per cent from 2013.

Idaho also saw a 12 per cent increase in acres of hops harvested.

The country's crop was worth about $272 million. Growers fetched an average price of $3.83 per pound, the highest since 2008.

28 January, 2015