Afghan Opium Cultivation Rises 19% Despite Taliban Ban

The UN reports a shift in cultivation to northeastern provinces, with opium prices stabilizing at higher levels.

Afghanistan's opium poppy cultivation increased to 12,800 hectares in 2024, a 19% rise from the previous year, according to the UNODC.
Despite the increase, current cultivation levels remain significantly lower than the 232,000 hectares before the 2022 Taliban ban.
The northeastern provinces, particularly Badakhshan, have become new centers for opium production, with a 381% increase in cultivation.
Opium prices have stabilized at around $730 per kilogram, significantly higher than pre-ban prices, making cultivation attractive for struggling farmers.
International support is urged to help Afghan farmers transition to sustainable livelihoods, as legal crops alone are not seen as a long-term solution.