Afghanistan: opium cultivation declines sharply, but regional trafficking increases

According to a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published Thursday, 10,200 hectares were under opium cultivation this year, compared to 12,800 hectares in 2024 and well below the 232,000 hectares recorded before the ban..

Production of the drug fell even more sharply, falling by almost a third to 296 tonnes, and farmers’ income from the sale of opium almost halved during the period.

In the report, UNODC highlights the need to combine eradication efforts with support for alternative livelihoods and demand reduction measures.

While many farmers have shifted to grains and other crops, worsening drought and poor rainfall have left more than 40 percent of agricultural land barren.

At the same time, the return of around four million Afghans from neighboring countries has increased pressure on jobs and resources, raising fears that economic woes could make illicit crops attractive again.

Growth of the synthetic drug market

At the same time, the production of synthetic drugs, particularly methamphetamine, is increasing, and seizures in and around Afghanistan were 50% higher at the end of 2024 than the previous year.

UNODC warns that organized crime groups may increasingly favor synthetic drugs, which are easier to produce, harder to detect and less vulnerable to climate shocks.

Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations political mission in the country (MANUA), says the problem goes beyond Afghan borders:

“The dynamics of supply, demand and trafficking involve both Afghan and international actors.. Meeting this challenge requires collaboration among key stakeholders.

The report calls for counternarcotics strategies that go beyond opium, integrating synthetic drugs into surveillance, interdiction and prevention efforts.