Opium production in Myanmar surges

The production of opium increased sharply in Myanmar, rising to a nine-year high due to the political and economic turmoil since the military took power in a coup nearly two years ago, the UN says


OPIUM PRODUCTION AND YIELDS (2022-23)

Production
Opium yield per hectare

Average estimated yield rose 41% to nearly 20kg per hectare – highest value since 2002

2022: 795 tonnes, nearly double production in 2021 – 423 tonnes – year of military coup

Tonnes 						Kg/ha
1,000						25
900						
800						20
700
600						15
500
400						10
300						
200						5
100
0						0
	2002 04 06 08 10 12 14 2016* 18 20 2022

*No survey conducted
  

Source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Picture: Getty Images
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