Poppy Growers Tasmania Inc

Representing Tasmania's poppy growers

Poppy Growers Tasmania Inc is the representative body for Tasmania's licensed pharmaceutical poppy growers.

Representing around 85% of growers, PGT provides a collective voice on the issues affecting farming businesses and the future of Tasmania's pharmaceutical poppy industry.

Wide Tasmanian pharmaceutical poppy field

A voice for Tasmania’s growers

Tasmania’s pharmaceutical poppy industry begins on farms across the state.

Poppy Growers Tasmania brings growers together and represents their interests in discussions with government, regulators, processors, researchers and the wider agricultural industry.

Our work includes policy and advocacy, industry regulation, grower issues, research, biosecurity, crop security and long-term industry development.

PGT represents growers. We are not a processor and we do not regulate the industry.

A specialised Tasmanian agricultural industry

Pharmaceutical poppies have been grown commercially in Tasmania since 1966.

Over more than half a century, Tasmania has developed specialist expertise in growing and processing poppies for pharmaceutical production and is recognised internationally as a leading producer of licit alkaloid material.

Poppies are grown by licensed Tasmanian farmers under contract to licensed processors. Compounds obtained from the harvested crop are subsequently used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Tasmanian grower inspecting a pharmaceutical poppy crop

2025–26 season unless otherwise stated

Tasmania's poppy industry at a glance

389active poppy cultivation licences in 2025-26
9,710 hectaresharvested in the 2025-26 season
Almost halfof global demand for licit alkaloid material is supplied by Tasmania, according to the Tasmanian Government
Since 1966commercial pharmaceutical poppy production in Tasmania

Statistics current for the 2025-26 season unless otherwise stated.

What PGT does

Representation

We provide a collective grower voice in discussions with government, regulators, processors and other organisations involved in the industry.

Policy and advocacy

We represent the practical interests of growers when government policy, regulation or industry decisions affect their businesses.

Research and industry development

PGT works with growers, researchers, government and industry partners on issues affecting crop productivity, biosecurity and the long-term capability of the industry.

Safety and responsibility

We support an industry built on responsible production, crop security and public safety.

From Tasmanian farms to global medicine

Poppies are a high-value rotational crop for Tasmanian farming businesses.

Production also supports agricultural contractors, suppliers, transport, processing, research and other activity beyond the farm gate.

Once harvested, Tasmanian poppy material enters a tightly controlled pharmaceutical supply chain, connecting local agriculture with medicines used around the world.

Learn about Tasmania’s poppy industry

Information for media and government

Looking for reliable information about Tasmania’s pharmaceutical poppy industry?

Our Industry Facts & Media section provides current production figures, background information, an explanation of the regulatory system and contact details for PGT.

Industry Facts & Media

Contact PGT

For grower, industry, government or media enquiries, contact Poppy Growers Tasmania.

Wayne Johnston
Chief Executive
0417 316 208
[PGT domain email address]

Contact PGT