<P> Hops production is concentrated in moist temperate climates, with much of the world's production occurring near the 48th parallel north . Hop plants prefer the same soils as potatoes and the leading potato - growing states in the United States are also major hops - producing areas; however, not all potato - growing areas can produce good hops naturally: soils in the Maritime Provinces of Canada, for example, lack the boron that hops prefer . Historically, hops were not grown in Ireland, but were imported from England . In 1752 more than 500 tons of English hops were imported through Dublin alone . </P> <P> Important production centres today are the Hallertau in Germany (more hop - growing area than any other country as of 2006), the Žatec (Saaz) in the Czech Republic, the Yakima (Washington) and Willamette (Oregon) valleys, and western Canyon County, Idaho (including the communities of Parma, Wilder, Greenleaf, and Notus). The principal production centres in the UK are in Kent (which produces Kent Goldings hops), Herefordshire, and Worcestershire . Essentially all of the harvested hops are used in beer making . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Hop producing country </Th> <Th> 2016 hop output in tonnes (t) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Germany </Td> <Td> 39,526 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States </Td> <Td> 31,968 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Czech Republic </Td> <Td> 7,712 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> China </Td> <Td> 6,427 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slovenia </Td> <Td> 2,478 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Korea </Td> <Td> 2,005 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Poland </Td> <Td> 2,003 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Albania </Td> <Td> 1,979 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Zealand </Td> <Td> 865 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Spain </Td> <Td> 809 </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Hop producing country </Th> <Th> 2016 hop output in tonnes (t) </Th> </Tr>

Who produces the most hops in the world