Decline in Afghan Opium Production Post-Taliban Ban Highlights Economic Struggles

Opium farming in Afghanistan has dropped significantly following a ban imposed by the Taliban government in 2022, as reported by the United Nations.

The total area of land for growing opium poppy has shrank by 20% since last year, while the amount of opium produced has fallen by 32% during the same period.

Previously, Afghanistan was responsible for over 80% of the world's opium supply, with Afghan opium heroin making up 95% of the European market.

The Taliban enforced a ban on opium cultivation in April 2022, citing its harmful effects as contrary to their religious beliefs. Despite severe economic challenges, most farmers are upholding the ban, as noted by the UN.

Many Afghan farmers are resorting to harvesting cereals; however, poppy cultivation remains significantly more profitable than legitimate crops. Over 40% of farmland is currently fallow due to a lack of profitable alternatives, adverse climate conditions, and limited agricultural outputs.

This year, the opium poppy cultivation area was estimated at 10,200 hectares, primarily in the north-east, particularly in Badakhshan, which holds the largest share. Before the ban, more than 200,000 hectares were dedicated to poppy cultivation.

The Taliban's ban has led to the complete eradication of opium poppy cultivation in four provinces in 2025, showcasing both the scale and durability of the restrictions. However, the Taliban’s attempts to destroy opium fields have faced resistance in areas like Badakhshan, where conflicts have resulted in casualties.

Although opium production is declining, there has been a rise in trafficking synthetic drugs, with seizures in Afghanistan increasing by 50% in late 2024 compared to the previous year. Organized crime groups are now shifting their focus towards synthetic drugs, which are easier to produce and less vulnerable to environmental impacts.

Farmers express distress as they are caught between the necessity of complying with the ban and the threat of severe poverty. An unnamed farmer in Helmand province remarked, If there's no money, then I'll grow poppies again, indicating the dire choices facing many in the region.