According to the latest Myanmar Opium Survey 2024 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, there has been a slight decrease in opium production in Myanmar, the world's largest source of the illicit drug. The report indicates a 4% reduction in the area cultivated with opium, totaling 45,200 hectares, and an 8% decrease in production to 995 metric tons.
Myanmar surpassed Afghanistan as the top opium producer last year, following a significant decline in cultivation in Afghanistan due to a ban imposed by the Taliban. The recent growth in opium cultivation in Myanmar was attributed to the political crisis that unfolded after the military coup in February 2021.
Despite the slight decline in production in 2024, experts warn of the potential for future expansion of the opium trade. The ongoing civil war and instability in Myanmar have created a conducive environment for opium cultivation, with farmers citing economic necessity as a primary motivator.
The UNODC experts highlighted concerns about the impact of the intensifying conflict on opium production, particularly in regions like Shan and Kachin. The situation remains volatile, and there are indications that more individuals may turn to opium cultivation as a means of survival.
Efforts to support farming communities and provide alternative livelihoods outside the opium economy are crucial in addressing the root causes of opium cultivation. Monitoring the situation in Myanmar and Afghanistan is essential to understanding the dynamics of the global heroin supply chains.
Myanmar, situated in the 'Golden Triangle' where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge, has a long history of opium and heroin production. In recent years, methamphetamine has gained prominence as a more profitable and easily distributable drug in the region.
