Myanmar Opium Survey 2024

Study Author(s):

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Journal Name:

UNODC Research

Publication Date:

December 2024

The Myanmar Opium Survey 2024, published by UNODC, examines the current state of opium cultivation in Myanmar. The survey highlights that, despite a slight decrease in cultivated area (down by 4% to 45,200 hectares), Myanmar remains the world’s largest source of opium.

The survey emphasizes significant regional variations, with Shan State accounting for the majority of production, and East Shan and Chin States experiencing notable increases in cultivation. Economic hardship, ongoing conflict, and the lack of public services are driving farmers to continue opium cultivation, despite the associated risks.

While opium prices have decreased slightly, the global supply shortage due to Afghanistan’s drug ban could lead to rising prices, potentially encouraging further cultivation. The report warns that without sustainable income alternatives for farmers and more effective interventions, opium production could continue to expand.

The report also underscores the complex relationship between opium cultivation and socioeconomic factors, including high levels of debt and instability in poppy-growing communities. The UNODC calls for immediate and decisive action to provide sustainable economic opportunities and reduce dependence on opium cultivation, especially as synthetic drug production and illicit economies grow in the region.