Taliban's Ban on Opium Poppy Causes 95% Plummet in Afghanistan's Supply - U.N.

Opium poppy production in Afghanistan has plummeted by 95% since the Taliban banned its cultivation last year, according to a United Nations report. Opium cultivation fell to just 10,800 hectares in 2023 from 233,000 hectares the previous year, significantly reducing the global supply. This decline could have major consequences for the Afghan economy, as the value of poppy exports had at times exceeded that of all formal exported goods. While the decrease in opium supply may lead to a drop in international opium use, it also risks increasing the use of alternatives such as fentanyl or synthetic opioids. The UNODC called for investment in sustainable livelihoods to provide Afghan farmers with alternative opportunities.