Lower over the period
Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita moved from 13.53 Gram in 2015 to 1.30 Gram in 2024 (−90.4%), an average of −22.9% a year. The series high was 13.53 Gram in 2015 and the low 1.29 Gram in 2023.
What Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita shows
Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita was 1.30 Gram in 2024, up 0.4% on 2023. Global poppy seed production per capita showed a clear and substantial downward trend between 2015 and 2024, indicating a significant reduction in production relative to the world population. According to the provided data, global production stood at 13.53 grams per capita in 2015, declined to 11.16 grams in 2016, and decreased further to 9.22 grams in 2017.
A 90.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 12.24 Gram. The sharpest single-year move was −58.4% in 2018.
Serbia leads among 3 countries covered
Of the 3 countries in this dataset, Serbia, Turkey and North Macedonia have the highest values in 2024 (160.2, 96.50, 13.17 Gram respectively).
Country ranking
Poppy Seed Production per Capita by country, 2024
Gram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Gram↕ | vs 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serbia | 160.2 | +1% | |
| 2 | Turkey | 96.50 | +6.3% | |
| 3 | North Macedonia | 13.17 | −36.5% |
Full series
Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Gram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Gram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1.30 | +0.4% |
| 2023 Trough | 1.29 | −30.6% |
| 2022 | 1.86 | −37.6% |
| 2021 | 2.98 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 2.94 | −23.3% |
| 2019 | 3.84 | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 3.84 | −58.4% |
| 2017 | 9.22 | −17.4% |
| 2016 | 11.16 | −17.5% |
| 2015Peak | 13.53 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Poppy Seed Production per Capita — Poppy Seed Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of poppy seeds produced in a country divided by its population, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents population-adjusted agricultural production and is used to assess the level of poppy seed output relative to the size of the population. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period.
The data includes domestic production of poppy seeds and expresses the output on a per capita basis using population data. It covers the countries and years selected in the Our World in Data Global Food Explorer and reflects agricultural production reported through the underlying food and agriculture datasets. The indicator captures changes in production relative to population size and supports comparisons of poppy seed production across countries and over time.
The data excludes poppy seed imports, exports, stocks, processing, consumption, and trade-related activities because the indicator measures agricultural production only. It does not represent individual consumption or availability of poppy seeds in a country. The per capita calculation does not measure farm-level productivity, yield per hectare, cultivated area, or production efficiency. Differences between countries may also reflect variations in agricultural conditions, reporting practices, population estimates, and production measurement methods."
About this indicator
Poppy Seed Production per Capita — Poppy Seed Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of poppy seeds produced in a country divided by its population, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents population-adjusted agricultural production and is used to assess the level of poppy seed output relative to the size of the population. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period.
The reduction became particularly pronounced in 2018, when production fell to 3.84 grams per capita. The indicator remained at the same level in 2019 before declining to 2.94 grams in 2020.
Global poppy seed production per capita showed a slight recovery in 2021, reaching 2.98 grams, but subsequently declined to 1.86 grams in 2022 and 1.29 grams in 2023. In 2024, production increased marginally to 1.30 grams per capita. Despite this small improvement, the level remained substantially below that recorded at the beginning of the period.
The data indicates that the highest global production per capita was recorded in 2015, while the lowest was observed in 2023. The sharp reduction between 2015 and 2018 represents the most significant change during the period, followed by comparatively lower production levels from 2019 onward.
Poppy seed production forms part of global agricultural produce and represents total production relative to the world population. Per capita measurement provides a population-adjusted perspective of agricultural output and helps identify long-term changes in global production intensity.
Overall, global poppy seed production per capita decreased by approximately 90.4% between 2015 and 2024, falling from 13.53 grams to 1.30 grams. The trend demonstrates a pronounced long-term decline, with only minor fluctuations and a limited recovery in 2024.
- Indicator
- Poppy Seed Production per Capita
- Region
- Global
- Unit
- Gram
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
Cite this dataset
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
Copied
Frequently asked questions
What is Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita?
Poppy Seed Production per Capita refers to the annual quantity of poppy seeds produced in a country divided by its population, measured in grams or kilograms per person. The indicator represents population-adjusted agricultural production and is used to assess the level of poppy seed output relative to the size of the population. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported for each year in the selected period.
What was Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita in 2024?
Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita was 1.30 Gram in 2024, up 0.4% on 2023.
How has Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita changed between 2015 and 2024?
Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita moved from 13.53 Gram in 2015 to 1.30 Gram in 2024 (−90.4%), an average of −22.9% a year. The series high was 13.53 Gram in 2015 and the low 1.29 Gram in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita?
The highest value was 13.53 Gram in 2015 and the lowest was 1.29 Gram in 2023.
What does the Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes domestic production of poppy seeds and expresses the output on a per capita basis using population data. It covers the countries and years selected in the Our World in Data Global Food Explorer and reflects agricultural production reported through the underlying food and agriculture datasets. The indicator captures changes in production relative to population size and supports comparisons of poppy seed production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes poppy seed imports, exports, stocks, processing, consumption, and trade-related activities because the indicator measures agricultural production only. It does not represent individual consumption or availability of poppy seeds in a country. The per capita calculation does not measure farm-level productivity, yield per hectare, cultivated area, or production efficiency. Differences between countries may also reflect variations in agricultural conditions, reporting practices, population estimates, and production measurement methods."
Where does the Global Poppy Seed Production per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..2024&Food=Poppy+seeds&Metric=Production&Per+capita=true&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Gram.
Need more data?
Get in touch with our research team
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.