Global brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) – which acquired local beer producer SABMiller late last year – is set to unlock South Africa's agricultural export potential by becoming a net exporter of South African hop varieties by 2021.
The expansion plan means that South African-bred hops varieties will be increasingly used in beers around the world and particularly in craft beers.
“We are bringing the brewing world to South Africa because of the huge potential of South African-grown hops. These hop varieties are unique because they cannot be grown anywhere else,” said Willy Buholzer, AB InBev Hops director.
The company’s agricultural development vision for South Africa is to increase hops produced by around 150 tonnes to 1 000 tonnes per year, of which more than 250 tonnes will be for the export market.
Most of the world’s hop production occurs in Europe and America. However, in George in the Western Cape, hops breeders have bred specialist varieties that flourish with the warmer winter climate and shorter summer days. The South African Breweries Hops Farm (SABHF) hops breeding programme has successfully introduced six commercial varieties, with yields comparable to the rest of the world, according to an AB InBev statement.
“Our strategy is firstly to ensure local hops are used in local beers, such as Castle and Castle Lite, and secondly, to unleash the potential of these special varieties to be used by our brewers around the world,” Buholzer said.
