Surge in Afghanistan’s Opium Prices Analyze Impact of Drug Ban

Opium prices in Afghanistan have surged tenfold since a drug ban was imposed in 2022, reaching $750 per kilogram. Despite a decrease in poppy cultivation, Afghanistan remains a leading player in global opium trade. Profits are now concentrated among high-level traders, while farmers face financial hardship. The UNODC calls for a coordinated effort to dismantle trafficking networks and support alternative livelihoods for farmers.

According to recent data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium prices in Afghanistan have dramatically increased, now costing ten times more since the enforcement of a drug ban in 2022. A kilogram of opium that previously cost $75 has escalated to $750 in 2023. Despite a decrease in poppy cultivation, Afghanistan remains a significant player in the global opium market alongside Colombia and Myanmar.

The UNODC reports a 50% reduction in the weight of heroin and opium seizures since 2021. However, the rising prices have not curtailed the drug trade, which remains highly lucrative. Profits are increasingly accumulated by high-level traders and organized crime networks, retaining control over the illicit market.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly remarked, “Drug trafficking in Afghanistan remains a highly profitable illicit trade. The profits are being channeled to transnational organized crime groups, destabilizing Afghanistan, the region, and beyond.” The agency estimates that Afghanistan’s opiate stockpiles totaled 13,200 tonnes by the end of 2022, sufficient to satisfy global demand until 2027, previously valued between $4.6 billion and $5.9 billion.

While opium prices soar, most Afghan farmers, once dependent on opium for their income, face significant financial struggles. Large traders and exporters are said to control roughly 60% of the opium stockpiles, leaving farmers with only about 30%. The UN agency warns, “Most farmers who previously cultivated opium are likely experiencing severe financial hardship,” necessitating the development of sustainable economic alternatives.

Moreover, as supplies of opium dwindle, there are concerns that buyers may shift towards synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, which pose severe health threats. The UNODC urges a coordinated international effort aimed at dismantling trafficking networks while investing in viable livelihoods for Afghan farmers to promote long-term stability.

In conclusion, the significant rise in opium prices in Afghanistan highlights the complexities surrounding drug cultivation and trafficking in the region. While the drug ban aimed to reduce the negative impact of opium, it has resulted in increased profits for organized crime at the expense of local farmers. There is an urgent need for sustainable economic alternatives to support Afghan livelihoods and combat the growing reliance on potent synthetic opioids.

Original Source: daryo.uz