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- Breeding on the topic: in the Russian Federation, hop production is projected to increase by a quarter
Breeding on the topic: in the Russian Federation, hop production is projected to increase by a quarter
Hop production is reviving in Russia. Its harvest in the country may grow by almost 22% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 400 tons, the Ministry of Agriculture told Izvestia. Domestic raw materials are of high quality, so there should be more of them on the market, brewers say. And agricultural producers are already working to increase the area of hop trees: in 2024, it increased by 6.9% to 332.4 hectares, and the pace of laying new ones is also increasing. The authorities support the industry with subsidies, preferential loans and leasing. This will be discussed, for example, at a meeting of the Council for the Development of the Brewing Industry, which will be held as part of the Baltika Fest food festival in the Leningrad region. Master classes, performances by artists, interactive entertainment and, of course, drinks will be waiting for the guests of the event. The ones based on Russian hops.
Hop production growth
Hop production in Russia in 2025 may grow by almost 22%, the Ministry of Agriculture told Izvestia. They noted that in recent years, the volume of plant cultivation in Russia has shown positive dynamics.
— By the end of 2024, the volume amounted to 328.8 tons, which is 1.7 times higher than the level of 2021 (194.4 tons). In 2025, according to hop—producing regions, the gross harvest may exceed 400 tons, the ministry said.
The total area of Khmelniki is also growing: last year it increased by 6.9% and amounted to 332.4 hectares, the ministry noted. The pace of new bookmarks is also increasing. So, in 2024, 136.9 hectares were laid, which is 3.8 times higher than in 2023.
Today's production leader is Chuvashia (218 tons). The Krasnodar Territory, Mari El, the Altai Republic and the Lipetsk Region are also among the leading regions. In 2025, new hoppers are also planned to be laid in the Voronezh Region.
Hops are used in medicine and the food industry today. The cones of the plant are the raw material for brewing. They are added at the end of boiling, which gives the beer a special flavor. The stems are suitable for making low grades of paper, as well as coarse yarn suitable for burlap and rope. Since ancient times, hops have been used in bakery production, it is also widely used in the production of honey wines. In addition, it is one of the main components of honey wort, improves its organoleptic properties. It is rich in essential and tannins, which contribute to the natural lightening of honey wine and protect it from souring.
"Today, active work is underway to develop domestic hop production in order to reduce dependence on imports of raw materials for the brewing industry," the Ministry of Agriculture said. — This is also facilitated by government support measures. The key one is a subsidy for planting and caring for perennial plantings, under which an increasing coefficient (at least 2) is applied when planting hop trees.
In addition, preferential loans and preferential leasing are available to hop growers, including for land reclamation activities, the department added.
In July, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Oksana Lut, stated that by 2030 the ministry expects to lay 1.5 thousand hectares of hop forests, which will allow 50% to cover the needs of brewers in this raw material.
Farmers who grow hops told Izvestia that they are ready to further increase their production if there are needs for the brewing business.
— Russia is the fifth largest beer market in the world with a production volume of about 800 million decaliters per year. To ensure such a need, about 5 thousand hectares of hop forests are needed. Currently, there are about 300 hectares of this plant in Russia, 95% of hop products are imported. Previously, in pre—revolutionary times, hops were sold to European countries that paid for them in gold," Inna Shevrinskaya, an entrepreneur and head of a peasant farm in the Krasnodar Territory, told Izvestia.
According to her, it is not easy to grow hops, as investments are very expensive — about 5 million rubles per hectare, and their payback period is 7-10 years.
— These are trellises, seedlings and soil preparation. As well as about 30-50 million rubles for agricultural equipment and specialized machinery. Now, the only way to explain why a farmer became involved in this crop is his great love for hops," said the producer.
At the same time, she stressed that if Russian brewers need regular stable supplies of these raw materials, then farmers will be able to multiply the size of the area, and the Krasnodar Territory will be able to take pride of place in this industry.
Development of domestic hop production
Dmitry Tarasevich, CEO of the Tarkos group of companies, which produces beer and other low-alcohol beverages, told Izvestia that the growth in hop production in the Russian Federation is, of course, large, but it is actually now counted from zero.
—Russian hops are excellent in quality, so it's great if there are more of them on the market," said the brewer, who also acknowledged that for farmers, the payback period for growing crops is very long.
Positive changes have taken place in the sector in recent years, but the industry still depends on imported raw materials, Vyacheslav Mamontov, executive director of the Association of Beer, Malt and Beverage Producers, admitted in a conversation with Izvestia.
— Russian hop growers can close up to 7% of the total demand of producers today. The restoration of domestic hop production is a long and complex process that can take at least 7-10 years. This issue is directly related to ensuring the import independence of the brewing industry, and its solution requires the active participation of business, investment, the development of science and attention from the government, — said the representative of the business.
At the same time, he added that attention is required not only directly by hopfields, but also by domestic breeding.
— The selection of imported bitter varieties in demand by brewers is one of the most important challenges for the industry. In particular, the development of this area can help manufacturers increase the variety of tastes presented to consumers," Vyacheslav Mamontov said. — For the successful development of the industry, it is necessary to attract investments in agro-industrial projects, breeding and training of specialists.
As an example, he cited the experience of Chuvashia as a leading region in the field of hop growing.: It can be used as a model for other regions of Russia suitable for growing this plant, adapting government support measures and competencies to local conditions.
According to Rosalokoltabakcontrol, by the end of 2024, Russian brewers produced 789 million decaliters (dal) of beer, which is 10.3% more than in 2023. At the same time, the production of beer drinks increased by 22.5%, to 119.3 million dal.
One of the main achievements of the industry last year was the return of Russian brewers to the prestigious international industry rating prepared by the largest hop trader, BarthHaas. In it, the Baltika company took the 12th place, and the United Breweries holding took the 24th place, Izvestia wrote.
This year's landmark event will also be the Baltika Fest food festival, organized in honor of the 35th anniversary of the company. The guests will enjoy master classes and gastronomic shows, food and drinks, interactive entertainment, as well as famous artists on stage. As part of the event, the first open meeting of the Council for the Development of the Brewing Industry, created on the initiative and under the auspices of Baltika, will be held on September 13. The event will be attended by Chairman of the Board, founder of Baltika Taimuraz Bolloev, CEO of Efes Brewing Company (AB InBev Efes JSC) Nikolay Tyurnikov, Dmitry Kiselyov, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Winegrowers and Winemakers of Russia.
According to the company's press service, the purpose of the council's activities will be to formulate principles for the development of the beer and alcohol industry in Russia and create favorable conditions for the development of the industry.
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