Charles Faram has received several reports from Germany concerning severe hail storms and gale force winds in the hop growing areas of Tettnang and Hallertau. The storms hit during the evening of the 26th May and seem to have spread south and east as the night progressed. There are unconfirmed reports that some of the Czech acreage may also have been damaged. Initial estimates vary but from the figures reported below it can be seen that the acreage affected is quite significant.
In the Hallertau growing region:
1.000 ha (= 2500 acres) – total destroyed - no crop in 2009
1.500 ha (= 3750 acres) – 50 % destroyed.
1.000 ha (= 2500 acres) – 25 % destroyed.
The estimated shortfall at this stage is 116,000ztrs (5,800 tonnes) roughly equivalent to 19% of the normal Hallertau Crop.
In the Tettnang growing region:
Approximately 40% of the crop is affected. The estimated shortfall at this stage is approximately 8,500ztrs (425 tonnes) roughly equivalent to 25% of a normal crop.
The attached pictures show the extent of some of the damage. We certainly do not want to be seen to be scaremongering and are not sure of exact figures or the effect on the market at this stage but thought SIBA members should be made aware of the situation.
Best regards
Paul Corbett
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