Afghanistan Opium Poppy Cultivation Quadruples in 2026 Despite Taliban Ban

Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan expanded to 43,000 hectares in 2026, quadrupling from 10,000 hectares in 2025 despite an official government ban.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that estimated opium production surged fivefold to 1,500 tonnes, driven by rampant rural poverty.

UNODC noted that opium prices remained high at $500 per kilogram, while farmers pointed out that alternative cereal crops fail to cover basic living expenses.