Afghan opium cultivation

Afghanistan's opium poppy cultivation increased by 19% in 2024 despite a Taliban-imposed ban, according to a UNODC report. The area cultivated reached 12,800 hectares, significantly lower than the 232,000 hectares before the ban in April 2022. The cultivation has shifted from the traditional southwest heartland to the northeast, particularly in Badakhshan, which saw a 381% rise in production. The ban initially caused a 95% decrease in opium farming by 2023, leading to a significant rise in opium prices, which stabilized at around $730 per kilogram. This price spike poses a risk of farmers flouting the ban due to economic hardship. UN officials emphasize the need for alternative livelihoods to support Afghan farmers affected by the ban.