Poppy seed growing in Hungary

Karácsony, Péter – Tóth, Kálmán – Pinke, Gyula – Pál, Róbert

Keywords: poppy seed, alkaloid, poppy seed for human consumption, efficiency

The area used for growing poppy seed for human consumption or alkaloid production in Hungary has been growing in recent years. We can conclude that the fears that Hunga ry’s accession to the European Union would reduce poppy seed growing did not come true even though the Community limited the growing of certain Hungarian varieties with a higher alkaloid concentration. Our research shows that despite its high per-hectare cost, poppy seed growing is a profitable activity. If we could increase poppy seed growing in Hungary to the level where it was in the 1960-ies, it could contribute to the livelihood of farmers - especially in the poorer areas of Eastern Hungary – who are currently fighting to make ends meet and survive.

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