Does NZHL supply certified organic hops?

PDF version

The development of organic hops is a response to the worldwide trend of reducing horticultural sprays and to restrict fertilisers to organic manures. Organic hop farming is a positive management system, not just a case of halting the use of sprays and fertilisers. Organic status is a hard regime for those who want to be sure that chemicals are not used in hop production, but organic is currently the only acceptable and legally recognised standard of chemical-free produce and products.

In New Zealand certification of organic hop production is provided by the New Zealand Biological Producers and Consumers Council, whose trade name is Bio-Gro New Zealand Ltd.

Look out for the Bio-Grow New Zealand logo on our hop variety cards. We can currently offer seven varieties grown under the organic regime, and fully Bio-Gro Certified hop cones and hop pellets are available as follows:

  • Wakatu:

    8-10% alpha. Balanced mix of floral and citrus characteristics

    Pacific Gem:

    13-16% alpha. Strong bittering hop with delicate blackberry/floral nose

    Motueka:

    7-8% alpha. Unique citrus aroma

    Nelson Sauvin:

An aroma /dual purpose flavour hop with distinctive “New World” white wine characters (12-13 % AA)

Taiheke

5-8% alpha. Bold spicey grapefruit aroma

Rakau:

A true dual purpose hop with stone fruit and fig characters and excellent bittering qualities. (10-11 % AA)

Wai-iti:

A fine aroma hop with fresh peaches and apricot characters within a weight of essential oils (2-4 % AA)
(These varieties are available as either organic or conventional)