According to data from the Czech Statistical Office, nearly 2,500 tonnes of poppy seeds were imported into the Czech Republic in the twelve months leading up to February 2022 (customs tariff number 12779190 – Poppy seeds, whether or not crushed, except seeds for sowing).
Table: Chinese Poppy Seed Imports 2021–2022
| Month | Quantity (t) | Value (CZK thousands) | Average price (CZK/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021* | 17 | 1,127 | 66.29 |
| November 2021 | 340 | 11,604 | 34.13 |
| December 2021 | 425 | 14,751 | 34.71 |
| January 2022 | 714 | 38,619 | 54.09 |
| February 2022 | 986 | 37,583 | 38.12 |
| Total | 2,482 | 103,684 | 41.77 |
*Between May and November 2021, no imports from China took place
According to information obtained by the Czech Blue Poppy Association from competent authorities, these imports were not reported to the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI), thereby violating the provisions of Decree No. 172/2015 Coll.
Increased imports of poppy seeds from China have made the Czech Republic practically the world’s largest poppy importer in the last four months. Never before have we imported so much poppy in such a short period, and we are only a little short of reaching a record for the entire year.
All poppy imported from China was allegedly re-exported to Poland as “goods not intended for food purposes.” The only non-food use for poppy is practically limited to the production of oil paints or for the preservation of metal objects. However, significantly cheaper vegetable oils can be found for these purposes. Furthermore, if Poland is interested in Chinese poppy, it has considerably better options than the Czech Republic to purchase it directly from China.
The explanation may be the “Czech-ification” of poppy imported from a third country, as has happened in recent times when imported technical poppy was mixed with Czech poppy – or sometimes not even mixed – and exported as a “quality” Czech product. This practice then results in downward pressure on prices of Czech poppy from Czech growers and damage to the good reputation of Czech poppy on European markets. Not to mention that such poppy often finds its way directly into the retail network in the Czech Republic.
There is only one way to fight these unfair practices. We appeal to consumers to buy poppy or poppy products marked only with quality labels – either the Czech Guild Standard or the Protected Geographical Indication “Czech Blue Poppy” (Český modrý mák). After all, it is in the interest of each and every one of us.
