The U.S. rate has decline over the past 10 years due to the increased use of high alpha hops. Because a very high percentage of hops are contracted, with some contracted up to five years in advance of harvest, as little as 2-5 percent of output is marketed as spot hops. Historically, growers and merchants were separately owned and managed, although in recent years, some merchants have purchased hop farms. The larger U.S. dealers also handle the bulk of hop imports. Of the seven dealers, six are owned by European firms.
Trellis collapse is one of the most frequently-cited production perils.
A collapse occurs when one or more of the poles snap or break, causing the wires to sag and permitting the vines to slump to the ground. The danger of collapse increases after about August 1, when the mature vines place the greatest weight on the trellis. Heavy dew or rain adds to vine weight, further increasing stress on the trellis. Excessive moisture is a hazard to hop production because it increases the incidence of mildew. Rain-related mildew is a more serious concern in Oregon than in either Washington or Idaho.