Afghanistan. Poppy Cultivation and Potential Opium Production in Afghanistan
Afghanistan. Poppy Cultivation and Potential Opium Production in Afghanistan
The annual United States Government estimate of “Afghanistan Poppy Cultivation and Potential Opium Production” found poppy cultivation decreased in 2018 compared to 2017, but remained at a near record high. Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan declined 33 percent, from 329,000 hectares in 2017 to 221,000 hectares in 2018. Similarly, potential pure opium production dropped by 42 percent, from 9,140 metric tons in 2017 to 5,330 metric tons in 2018. The decline in cultivation and potential pure production are attributed to large areas of drought in Afghanistan and low opium prices driven by a record 2017 crop. (The White House – Office of National Drug Control Policy, 11.04.2019)