Myanmar Surpasses Afghanistan as World's Largest Opium Producer

Myanmar has regained its position as the world's largest opium producer, surpassing Afghanistan, according to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The estimated land used for opium cultivation in Myanmar increased by 18% to 47,100 hectares, with the opium yield expanding by 16%. The report attributes the increase to sophisticated cultivation methods and the economic and security disruptions caused by the country's political turmoil. The average price paid to opium growers also rose by 27%, indicating strong demand. The ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar's northeast is expected to further accelerate this trend.