Myanmar Surpasses Afghanistan as World’s Largest Opium Producer
Opium Production Soars in Myanmar Amid Ongoing Civil Unrest
Despite a 95 percent decrease in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s ban on opium production, Myanmar is expected to see a 36 percent increase in opium production this year. The country is set to produce 1,080 tons of opium, surpassing Afghanistan’s production of 330 tons.
The ongoing civil war triggered by the 2021 military coup has led to a surge in opium production in Myanmar. The disruption in the economy, security, and governance has prompted farmers in remote areas to turn to opium cultivation as a means of livelihood.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reported that opium cultivation in Myanmar has become increasingly sophisticated and efficient. It is attributed to the intensive use of land, irrigation systems, and sometimes fertilizer.
The increasing price of opium, coupled with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, has further incentivized people to engage in opium cultivation. As a result, more individuals are turning to opium as a reliable source of income.
Shan state, which has experienced violent clashes between ethnic armed groups and the army, has emerged as the leading region for opium production in Myanmar. The region’s poor and remote landscape makes opium cultivation a driving force in its economy.
Opium production has also become a key source of funding for rebel groups and powerful mafia families. The intensification of conflict in Shan and other border regions is expected to fuel further increase in opium production, according to the UNODC report.
In addition to opium, Myanmar has also seen a surge in heroin production, with 154 tons of heroin worth $2.2 billion exported this year. The region known as the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet, plays a crucial role in opium and heroin production.
Despite efforts to curb opium production, Myanmar remains a major player in the global opium and heroin trade. The ongoing civil unrest and economic challenges continue to drive the expansion of opium cultivation and production in the country.
