http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/2001/plenery/1/fist.htm
Australia produced 51% of the world's morphine CPS in 1998, the most recent year for which figures are available (2). Turkey produced 23%, France 21% and Spain 4%. The other major producer is India, which manufactures the traditional product opium. Opium contains approximately 10% morphine, and smaller amounts of other alkaloids including thebaine. India's production of opium alkaloids is currently similar to that of Australia.
Bill
>>Just a question regarding the pharmaceutical business. For years
>>I've assumed that they produced painkillers from opium, but perhaps
>>everything is synthetic now. I don't know and would like to know.
>>And if they do use opium, where do they get it.
>
>It is grown in a few select places, like here in Tasmania. Hundreds
>of acres of poppies are grown all around this area, a wonderful
>sight when they are all in flower!
>
>Bill Bartlett
>Bracknell Tas