New Opium Powerhouse: Myanmar Takes Over as Afghanistan Slashes Production

In 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) World Drug Report reveals that Afghanistan has long been a major producer of poppy, the base ingredient for heroin distributed in various parts of the world. However, with the Taliban regaining power in April 2022, the new Afghan government imposed a strict ban on poppy cultivation. This move not only reduced the supply of illicit substances like heroin but also affected the production of medical prescription opioids.

As illustrated in a chart using UNODC data, Myanmar emerged as the top country with the highest potential opium production in 2023. Its capacity in this segment more than doubled from previous years, surpassing Mexico’s potential production of 166 tons in 2022. Laos and Colombia, though not explicitly listed in the chart due to limited data availability, have also made contributions to global opium production in recent years.

However, despite a decrease in opium production due to stricter regulations and bans on cultivation, many Afghan farmers heavily depended on their poppy fields for income. The resulting spike in heroin prices led to the emergence of new and potentially more dangerous substances like fentanyl. The new Afghan government must continue to implement measures to combat drug trafficking and promote alternative livelihoods for farmers who rely on poppy cultivation for their income.