Myanmar has surpassed Afghanistan to become the world’s largest opium producer, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s “Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023.” This development follows a 95% reduction in Afghan opium cultivation due to the Taliban’s production ban.
From 2022 to 2023, Myanmar’s opium cultivation area expanded by 18% to 47,100 hectares. Although not reaching the 2013 peak of 58,000 hectares, this marks a significant increase. Enhanced cultivation techniques, including better irrigation, have contributed to a record yield of 22.9 kilograms per hectare.
The rise in opium production is linked to Myanmar’s internal turmoil following the 2021 military coup, driving farmers in remote areas to cultivate opium for income. Opium prices have increased, with farmers earning about 75% more than the previous year.
Shan state, a traditional opium-growing region, is experiencing intensified conflict, fueling the trend. The region’s drug trade is also shifting towards methamphetamine, a more easily produced and distributed synthetic drug.
The UNODC report highlights a trend of increasing drug production and trafficking in Southeast Asia, accompanied by a rise in associated criminal activities, including online scams and money laundering.
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