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Apple, cherry and hop commissions report declining acreage, tight markets and labor concerns
Summary
Candy Fitch, executive director for Idaho's apple, cherry and hop commissions, told a legislative committee that hop acreage and U.S. production fell in 2024, apple production has declined from historic highs, specialty crop grants remain available, and growers continue to face H-2A labor costs and market oversupply.
Candy Fitch, executive director for the Idaho Apple Commission, Idaho Cherry Commission and Idaho Hop Growers Commission, briefed an Idaho legislative committee on market conditions, budgets and grant activity for apples, cherries and hops.
Fitch said a U.S. national hop report showed 2024 production down 16% and area harvested down 18%. She told the committee that Idaho hop acreage fell from 9,561 acres in 2022 to 5,797 acres in 2024, with additional acres removed in 2025 “we don't have a final number at this time.” She said the industry is working through an oversupply after rapid growth earlier in the decade and changing consumer preferences.
"During COVID, there was a lot of people that weren't going out and drinking as much anymore," Fitch said, and added that "many people have moved over to drinking more…
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