In a significant shift, Myanmar has claimed the top spot as the world’s leading producer of opium, surpassing Afghanistan, as per a United Nations report released recently. The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) disclosed that Myanmar recorded an estimated production of 1,080 metric tonnes of opium during the 2022-23 period, marking a substantial increase from previous years.

This transition in opium production dominance follows a stark decline in Afghanistan’s output, plummeting by an estimated 95 percent to roughly 330 tonnes after the Taliban government implemented a ban on poppy cultivation last year, according to the UNODC report.

The “Golden Triangle,” spanning the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, has historically been notorious for illegal drug production and trafficking, particularly methamphetamine and opium. Myanmar’s opiate economy, estimated to be valued between $1 billion and $2.4 billion, represents a significant portion—equivalent to 1.7 to 4.1 percent—of the country’s 2022 GDP, as outlined in the UNODC report.

The report attributes Myanmar’s opium production surge to multiple factors, including the nation’s ongoing conflict and instability since the military seized power in 2021, prompting many farmers to turn to poppy cultivation. Challenges such as limited market access, deficient state infrastructure, and rampant inflation have contributed to farmers’ decisions to increasingly cultivate poppy, the report highlighted.

This spike in opium production in Myanmar marks the highest level in over two decades, indicating a concerning trend. The UNODC also observed a noticeable shift in cultivation practices, with increased sophistication, investments, and better techniques such as improved irrigation and potential use of fertilizers, leading to higher crop yields.

Shan state, encompassing the primary cultivating region, faced escalating violence amid clashes between ethnic minority armed groups and the ruling junta. Approximately 88 percent of Myanmar’s opium poppy areas were concentrated in Shan state, while opium yields per hectare surged significantly in eastern Shan—from 19.8 kilograms in 2022 to 29.4 kilograms in 2023—according to the report.

Moreover, cultivation also surged in northern Kachin state and Chin state along the border with India, revealing a concerning expansion of opium cultivation across Myanmar.

Despite Myanmar’s pledge to curb the illegal drug trade, analysts believe that the military junta’s efforts remain inadequate. The country’s Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control admitted earlier this year that their actions yielded no impact on curtailing the multi-billion dollar trade.

Sources By Agencies