Myanmar’s opium boom hits decade-high as conflict fuels record production
Myanmar’s opium production has climbed to its highest level in a decade. In 2025, the country produced roughly 1,010 metric tons (1,113 tons) of opium, marking a 1% rise from the previous year. The surge comes as conflict and rising drug prices fuel the illegal trade in the troubled country.
The expansion of poppy fields has also accelerated, with cultivation areas growing by 17% to 53,100 hectares (131,212 acres).
Northeastern Myanmar, part of the infamous 'Golden Triangle,' remains a key centre for opium and heroin production. The region’s lawlessness and weak government control have long made it a hotspot for drug trafficking. Ethnic minority groups like the Shan, Wa, and Kachin are heavily involved in cultivation and smuggling, operating in areas where central authority is almost non-existent.
The country’s ongoing civil war and soaring opium prices have pushed production even higher. Fresh opium now sells for about $329 per kilogram, a significant jump from previous years. This boom has turned the opium economy into a major financial force, worth between $641 million and $1.05 billion—equivalent to 0.9% to 1.4% of Myanmar’s 2024 GDP.
There are also signs that heroin from Myanmar is reaching European markets. Traditionally supplied by Afghanistan, these routes now appear to be shifting toward Myanmar’s illicit production.
Myanmar continues to dominate as the world’s leading source of illicit opium. The 2025 figures highlight a growing crisis, with more land dedicated to poppy cultivation and higher output. The economic and security impacts of this trade are likely to persist as conflict and demand drive further expansion.
