Blue Poppy Seeds Market Update – June 2024

With the Czech Republic’s Blue Poppy Seed harvest just a month away, Czech farmers anticipate significant and positive shifts in production, despite no official statistics being published yet and previous declines in 2022 and 2023. Producers are eager to secure contracts at more favorable rates than those seen throughout the 2023/2024 season. Indicating a promising outlook ahead.

Meanwhile, Hungary experienced a remarkable increase in Blue Poppy Seed cultivation, expanding production to 15 000 hectares in 2023. Nearly doubling previous years cultivation efforts. This update covers recent developments in the Blue Poppy Seed market, providing insights into production trends in the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Optimism in Czech Blue Poppy Seed 2024 Crop

In 2023, Czech Republic cultivated Blue Poppy Seed on 26 250 hectares, yielding 18 553 tons at 0.71 tons per hectare. This marks a 15.7% production decline from 2022, when 26 125 hectares yielded 21,964 tons at 0.84 tons per hectare. As farmers prepare for the upcoming 2024 harvest, there is optimism for improved statistics with this year’s crop.

Farmers are keen to offer competitive prices for this year’s crop due to the disappointing yield and quality issues faced in the 2023 season. This strategy aims to regain market confidence and secure contracts at more favorable rates than those seen throughout the previous season.

Despite recent fluctuations, the Czech Republic maintains its position as the leading producer of Blue Poppy for human consumption. The country’s historical data underscores its significant role in the market, despite challenges in recent years.

Blue Poppy Production in Czech Republic 2013-2023

Let’s analyze above data from the Czech Republic’s Blue Poppy Seed production over the last decade:

• Best Year: 2014 had the highest yield per hectare at 0.91 tons/ha, despite not having the largest sowing area.

• Worst Year: 2018 recorded the lowest yield per hectare at 0.51 tons/ha, with a moderate sowing area.

• Average Sowing: Over the decade, the average sowing area was approximately 32 000 hectares.

• Average Production: The average annual production was around 22 000 tons.

• Average Yield: The average yield per hectare over the decade was approximately 0.71 tons/ha.

Hungary’s Increasing Role in Blue Poppy Seeds Production

In recent years, Hungary has witnessed a significant surge in Blue Poppy Seed production, as farmers expanded cultivation to 15 000 hectares in 2023. An impressive increase from the previous years production levels of approximately 6 000 to 8 000 hectares.

This growth has been driven by increased export activity and growing interest from international buyers. But it’s also due to production challenges faced by the traditional leading producer, the Czech Republic. Hungary’s stable production quality has significantly contributed to attracting buyers seeking reliable sources of Blue Poppy Seeds with low morphine level.

The primary focus of Blue Poppy Seed production in Hungary is geared towards export markets, as domestic consumption remains limited. Initially targeting markets in Ukraine and Russia, Hungarian exports have diversified in recent years, with increasing demand from Western Europe and the USA.

Organic Blue Poppy Seeds Production

Organic Blue Poppy Seed Production in Europe faces stagnant growth prospects, as European producers show little interest in expanding cultivation, likely due to muted market demand. Even though, Czech Republic remains as the worlds largest producer of low morphine blue poppy seeds for human consumption, the majority of organic blue poppy seeds traded in Europe comes from Turkey, which maintains its strong position as the primary supplier of Organic Blue Poppy Seeds.

Regrettably, Organic Blue Poppy Seed production within the EU is not expanding significantly. Producers face challenges in meeting demand with EU-sourced products, leading to reliance on Turkish imports. EU importers must conduct thorough analyses of each batch to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards.

It’s crucial that new suppliers adhere to GFSI certification standards. Learn more about these certifications and their significance in our latest article “BRC, FSSC and IFS Meaning In Food Industry For Producers and Suppliers”.

Blue Poppy Seeds Market Summary

In anticipation of the Czech Republic’s upcoming Blue Poppy Seed harvest, farmers are optimistic about increased production despite recent challenges.

New offers from our Czech and Hungarian partners are notably lower than those from the 2023/2024 season, reflecting short-term optimism or a deeper market understanding. This suggests expectations that this year’s crop may outperform 2023.

Lastly, in Hungary, the outlook remains positive as well, with expanded cultivation efforts in last year is expected to yield promising results again this year. We eagerly await the outcomes of the 2024 harvest season and look forward to providing further market updates.

Source:

1. “Ověřovali nové možnosti ochrany máku” available at:
   https://www.agromanual.cz/cz/clanky/ochrana-rostlin-a-pestovani/osivo-a-sadba-1/overovali-nove-moznosti-ochrany-maku (accessed on June 13, 2024).
2. “Újra felfedezték a mákot a magyar növénytermesztők, töretlenül nő a népszerűsége” available at:
   https://www.agroinform.hu/szantofold/egy-noveny-ami-stabil-jovedelmet-kepes-biztositani-68607-001 (accessed on June 13, 2024).
3. “The Czech Republic the largest supplier of breadseed poppy” available at:
   https://eagri.cz/public/portal/-q258535—Fn7c0yZo/the-czech-republic-the-largest-producer (accessed on June 13, 2024)
4. BRC, FSSC and IFS Meaning In Food Industry For Producers and Suppliers available at:
   https://seedea.pl/brc-fssc-and-ifs-meaning-in-food-industry-for-producers-and-suppliers/ (accessed on June 13, 2024)