Poppy Growers Tasmania walked away from pricing talks with Tasmanian Alkaloids and Sun Pharma last week, announcing on Friday that it did not support the 2018-19 contracts being offered to growers by either company.

Growers’ body president Keith Rice said there had been no change in the situation since Friday, but Poppy Growers Tasmania planned to issue a notice to growers to explain the situation further on Tuesday.

“We can’t say to growers don’t grow, but we’re advising them to understand their crop,” Mr Rice said.

Tasmanian Alkaloids is offering growers prices between 2.5 and 5 per cent less than the 2017-18 price for codeine and thebaine respectively, and Sun Pharma cut its thebaine price by 12 per cent.

The body expects some growers to exit the industry, while others will continue with their crops after considering their costs of production based on the poppy variety they grow.

Tasmanian Alkaloids chief executive Doug Blackaby said this situation could result in a review of pricing, but it was unlikely.

“We respect Poppy Growers Tasmania quite a lot. Negotiations are always tough and we’ve always had a strong working relationship on them,” Mr Blackaby said.

Poppies are sown in June and July so “we’ve got a little bit of time up our sleeves”, Mr Blackaby said.

Tasmanian Alkaloids field officers are talking to growers about the prices.

Sun Pharma was also contacted for comment.