Surge in Myanmar opium poppy farming as conflict pushes farmers into illicit trade

The UN office on drugs and crime said in a report the growth underscores Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium Opium poppy cultivation in war-torn Myanmar has surged to its highest level in a decade, according to the UN, rising 17% in the past year as conflict and economic hardship push more farmers into the illicit trade. Poppy cultivation climbed to 53,100 hectares this year from 45,200 hectares in 2024, the UN office on drugs and crime (UNODC) said in a report, underlining Myanmar’s position as the world’s main known source of illicit opium amid declining production in Afghanistan.