Vojvodina farmers expand blue poppy cultivation for export

Farmers in the Vojvodina region of Serbia are increasingly cultivating blue edible poppy, a crop that has proven more profitable than other field crops. Much of the harvest is exported to markets in Austria and Germany.

Currently, poppy is being sown on approximately 5,000 to 6,000 hectares in this part of Serbia. Producer and exporter Nenad Gostović noted that while interest among farmers is growing, production remains limited by market demand. In Europe, total cultivation covers about 100,000 hectares, with the Czech Republic being the largest producer.

The crop is used in the food and bakery industries and is noted for being drought-resistant and requiring minimal pest control, making the production process similar to organic farming. Poppy is sown in the autumn, providing a strategic advantage during recent years of drought.