Hops sales likely to fall due to strong crown in 2002

Czech hop-growers expect a decrease in revenues due to the appreciation of the Czech currency. The chairman of the Association of Hop-Growers of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Rosa said hop-growers had signed contracts with traders for some 6000 tonnes of hops at an average price of 140,000 CZK per tonne.

Czech hop-growers expect a decrease in revenues due to the appreciation of the Czech currency. The chairman of the Association of Hop-Growers of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Rosa said hop-growers had signed contracts with traders for some 6000 tonnes of hops at an average price of 140,000 CZK per tonne. However, the strengthening of the Czech crown to the euro is likely to cut the price of a tonne of dry hops by 15000-20000 crowns. Experts suggest that the decrease in revenues will have a drastic impact on hop-growers, who have been complained about low prices.

80-85 percent of the total Czech production of hops is exported, the largest customer being Japan, which accounts for 45 pct of total exports.