TMO to Start Poppy Seed Purchases in 2026
· Bloomberg HT
The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) announced it will purchase poppy seeds for the first time in the 2026 season at a floor price of 140 Turkish Lira per kilogram, aiming to ensure sustainability in poppy cultivation and protect producer incomes.
TMO Makes Historic Purchase Decision
The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) has announced that it will conduct its first-ever poppy seed purchases in the 2026 season, aiming to secure sustainability in poppy cultivation and support farmers' incomes. In a statement released by the institution, it was stated that the purchase price for blue, white, and yellow poppy seeds has been set at 140 Turkish Lira per kilogram. Officials from the Turkish Grain Board, sharing details regarding the purchase principles, made the following statement:
Poppy seeds will be purchased through a tiered pricing system based on the announced purchase price. Our producers will be able to sell poppy seeds up to a maximum of 10% more than the amount of poppy capsules they deliver to TMO in 2026, based on the seed color declared in HÜBAS. Poppy seeds will not be purchased from producers who have not delivered poppy capsules to TMO.
Quality Criteria and Conditions
It was announced that old crop poppy seeds will strictly not be included in the purchase scope, in line with the purchase standards published by the institution. According to TMO data, upper limits for maximum impurity rates in purchases have been clarified. In this context, the maximum moisture content has been set at 9%, total foreign matter at 10%, inorganic matter at 1%, and mixed-colored seeds at 3%. Products that do not meet these specified technical parameters will not be purchased, and producers need to pay attention to the tiered criteria.
Appointment and Payment Process
Producers can obtain purchase appointments online via the e-Devlet Gate and the Turkish Grain Board's website, or in person at branch directorates. While meeting sack requirements is mandatory for product delivery, producers will be paid 15 TL per sack. Payments for delivered products will be transferred to producers' bank accounts within 21 days at the latest. Poppy seeds purchased by TMO from producers will be offered to the market starting November 1st at 160 TL per kilogram.