Hop, apple and cherry commissions report shrinking acreage, uncertain markets and budgets

Candy Fitch, executive director for the Idaho Apple Commission, Idaho Cherry Commission and Idaho Hop Growers Commission, briefed the committee on market conditions, membership activity and budgets across the three commissions.

Fitch said the U.S. national hop report released in December 2024 showed U.S. hop production down 16 percent year‑over‑year, harvested area down 18 percent and total value of production down 21 percent; the report also showed average hop yield higher by 29 pounds. She told the committee Idaho hop acreage has fallen — the report showed 9,561 acres in 2022 and 5,797 acres in 2024 — and additional reductions were expected for 2025. Fitch described the current industry challenge as an oversupply in prior years and softer demand as some consumers shift from beer to other beverages.

On budget matters Fitch said the hop commission based its 2024–25 budget on 61,657 bales (down from prior assumptions) and estimated assessments at about $129,480; total income including grants was listed at $355,001.75 (Fitch noted grant revenue varies and that figures were estimates). She described specialty‑crop grants as an important source for marketing and research for smaller commodity commissions.

On apples, Fitch said Idaho’s production has fallen from nearly 5 million bushels in the commission’s first assessment year to roughly 1.5 million in a full crop year; the commission’s 2025–26 budget was presented at $553,530 and the commission pays $12,580 as its share of the joint office rent. Fitch traced long‑term decline in apple acreage to market pressures (including low‑price juice imports in the late 1990s), retirements and competition from larger producing states.

On cherries, Fitch said Idaho averages about 1,400 tons annually and that 2024 produced a relatively large crop but weak prices because many producers had cherries in the market. Fitch outlined marketing activity across the commissions, including in‑store sampling at a Boise Albertsons, hop tours and booths at local festivals such as Wild West Brewfest and Hops and Crops at Indian Creek Plaza.

Members pressed Fitch on labor and H‑2A costs. Representative McCann asked, “Have they been plowing those fields under, selling them for development? What happened to all of the acres of fruit trees?” Fitch replied that low prices in past years, retirements and growers leaving the business contributed to acreage loss. On wage costs for the H‑2A program Fitch said she was not certain of the exact current figure but estimated about $16 per hour and offered to provide follow‑up details; Representative Miller and other members cited $16.48 per hour as the pay rate used in certain agricultural worker calculations and reiterated housing and transport are required components of H‑2A employments.

Fitch also listed commission memberships and leadership: the Hop Research Council, Hop Growers of America, U.S. Hop Plant Protection Committee, Northwest Horticultural Council, Northwest Fruit Exporters, U.S. Apple and local programs including BuyIdaho and Idaho Preferred. She identified commissioners and representatives by farm or company in the written packet (names listed in the packet included Oliver Schroeder; Diane Gooding of Gooding Farms; Brock Obendorf; Nate Jackson; Mark Hansen; John Sims/Simms and others as commissioners or alternates across the apple, cherry and hop commissions). Fitch closed by noting the commissions rely on small staff and cost‑share arrangements across several commodity groups that share an office.