Opium production in Afghanistan has risen fivefold in a year, the first significant increase since the Taliban banned poppy cultivation in 2022, according to a United Nations survey released on Thursday.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found that the area planted with opium poppy grew by 330 per cent, to more than 43,000 hectares, up from about 10,000 hectares in 2025. Estimated production jumped by 400 per cent, from roughly 300 tonnes to just under 1,500 tonnes.
Both figures remain well below levels before the ban, when some 232,000 hectares were under cultivation. For decades, Afghanistan was the world's biggest source of illicit opium, accounting for around 80 per cent of global supply before the ban.
The Taliban seized power in August 2021. In April 2022, they outlawed poppy cultivation and all narcotics, citing religious grounds. The de facto authorities say they eradicated 22,000 hectares of poppy this year.
But UNODC said many farmers appear to have adapted to evade enforcement. Some are hiding small plots within cereal fields or inside walled compounds. Others are planting and harvesting at staggered intervals to avoid detection.
"The fourfold increase in opium poppy cultivation shows the difficulty in sustaining decreases in illicit opium cultivation when poor farmers have no alternatives to feed their families," said UNODC Executive Director Monica Juma. She urged the de facto authorities and the international community to work together to support farming communities, by investing in livelihoods, farm infrastructure and access to markets.
Cultivation spread to 16 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces, five more than last year. Three in every four hectares were in the northeast, now firmly the country's main growing area. Before the ban, most poppy was grown in the southwest.
Prices dipped from $570 a kilogramme last year to $500 but remain far above pre-ban levels of under $100. UNODC said large regional price differences may encourage trafficking from the northeast to the southwest.
The survey said traffickers in the region appear to have relied on opium stockpiles to keep supplies moving since the ban. But recent seizure data suggest those stocks are running down. The 2026 World Drug Report also found early signs that heroin supplies in Europe are falling. With demand holding up and prices high, shrinking supplies could push cultivation in Afghanistan higher still.
"International cooperation is needed to investigate and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks both in Afghanistan and the rest of the world," Ms. Juma said.
UNODC said continued monitoring would show whether this year's jump is temporary or the start of a resurgence in opium and heroin production.
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Opium poppy cultivation area in Afghanistan
hectares
Source: UNODC
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Analysis
Why This Matters
A resurgence in Afghan opium production threatens to reverse the gains of the Taliban's 2022 ban and could increase heroin supplies reaching European and other markets.
The failure of enforcement despite eradication efforts highlights the economic desperation of poor farming communities with no viable alternative livelihoods.
Falling stockpiles and high prices create a strong incentive for further cultivation, potentially returning Afghanistan to its role as the world's dominant opium supplier.
Background
Afghanistan was the world's largest source of illicit opium for decades, accounting for about 80 per cent of global supply before the Taliban banned poppy cultivation in April 2022, shortly after seizing power in August 2021. The ban initially caused a sharp drop in production, but the UN survey released Thursday shows the first significant increase since then.
Key Perspectives
UNODC (Monica Juma): Says the fourfold increase shows the difficulty of sustaining decreases when poor farmers have no alternatives. Urges investment in livelihoods, farm infrastructure and market access.
Taliban de facto authorities: Say they eradicated 22,000 hectares of poppy this year, indicating continued enforcement efforts.
What to Watch
Whether the jump is a one-year anomaly or the start of a sustained resurgence, as UNODC monitoring continues.
The extent to which shrinking opium stockpiles and high prices drive further cultivation in the next planting season.
Any international efforts to provide economic alternatives for Afghan farming communities.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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SupportedJuma said the fourfold increase showed the difficulty of sustaining reductions when poor farmers lack alternatives to feed their families.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “The fourfold increase in opium poppy cultivation shows the difficulty in sustaining decreases in illicit opium cultivation when poor farmers have no alternatives to feed their families”
SupportedJuma said international cooperation was needed to investigate and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks in Afghanistan and elsewhere.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “International cooperation is needed to investigate and dismantle transnational drug trafficking networks both in Afghanistan and the rest of the world”
SupportedThis was the first significant increase since the Taliban banned poppy cultivation in 2022.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “it’s the first significant increase since the Taliban banned poppy cultivation in 2022.”
SupportedFarmers appear to have adapted to evade enforcement of the Taliban ban.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “But UNODC said many farmers appear to have adapted to evade enforcement.”
SupportedThe area planted with opium poppy increased by 330 per cent, to more than 43,000 hectares from about 10,000 hectares in 2025.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “the area planted with opium poppy grew by 330 per cent, to more than 43,000 hectares, up from about 10,000 hectares in 2025.”
SupportedEstimated opium production rose by 400 per cent, from about 300 tonnes to just under 1,500 tonnes.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “Estimated production rose by 400 per cent, from about 300 tonnes to just under 1,500 tonnes.”
SupportedThe current cultivation and production figures remain well below pre-ban levels.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “Both figures remain well below levels before the ban, when some 232,000 hectares were under cultivation.”
SupportedThe de facto authorities said they eradicated 22,000 hectares of poppy this year.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “The de facto authorities say they eradicated 22,000 hectares of poppy this year.”
SupportedCultivation spread to 16 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, five more than last year.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “Cultivation spread to 16 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, five more than last year.”
SupportedThree in every four hectares were in the northeast, now the country’s main growing area.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “Three in every four hectares were in the northeast, now firmly the country’s main growing area.”
SupportedOpium prices fell from $570 per kilogram last year to $500, but remained far above pre-ban levels of under $100.UN News - Global perspective Human stories: “Prices dipped from $570 a kilogramme last year to $500 but remain far above pre-ban levels of under $100.”