The hop industry in numbers

The degree of southern latitude where the hop fields outside George are established. Hop plants grow best in a climate between latitudes of 35 and 45 degrees south in the southern hemisphere.

The number of hop farms in South Africa. SAB owns four, and seven private farmers grow hops under contract for the company. One of the SAB hop farms is a growing and research farm that produces seedlings and new varieties.

The number of hectares covered by hops in South Africa. Of this, 192 ha are owned by SAB.

The average yield per hectare, which in ideal conditions can increase to 10 t/ha.

The combined average number of tonnes of dried hops produced annually by SAB and the private sector.

The amount of hop grains exported annually to the US and Europe.

The number of seasonal workers employed by the hop industry between George and Oudtshoorn every year.

The annual contribution made by the hop industry to South Africa’s economy.

with a lime-green colour. Only the unpollinated female flowers are used in beer production. To prevent pollination, the fields should therefore contain no male plants. We only receive female rhizomes from SAB, and if we happen to discover a male plant among them we remove it immediately.” Male plants are grown exclusively for pollination in the development of new varieties.

A young hop vine produces about 300 g flowers, and an older one up to 1 kg. Yields vary depending on variety and weather conditions, but Dean says that local private hop farmers harvest an average of 6,5 to 10 tonnes per hectare in a good year. “It varies, though – for example, we have a small 1,8 ha field that gave us 23 tonnes in its second year. That’s only hop cones… not the plants!”