Opium prices in Afghanistan explode: a trade with highs!

in Afghanistan, the price for opium has been dramatically increased since the Taliban banned the poppy growth in 2022. The new reality says that the price per kilo opium is now $ 750 (approx. 690 euros), while it was previously only $ 75, as the Krone . This drastic increase in price could make the fight against drug trafficking considerably more difficult because the high prices continue to make opium trading profitable.

But what is behind this price jump? According to the Vienna's United Nations Office for Drug and Crime Questions (UNODC), the Taliban's decision to destroy the Mohnfeld not only slowed down worldwide production, but also maximized profits for criminal organizations. In 2024, prices reached 65,486 rupees per kilogram, whereby the inventory of around 13,200 tons, which were estimated at the end of 2022, were sufficient to meet demand by 2027, report Livemint

opium trade remains lucrative

The Taliban could tighten the controls on drug trafficking, but the earnings obtained from illegal trade remains tempting. According to UNODC, rising prices and extensive stocks ensure that the drug mafia continues to make enormous profits. Despite a significant reduction in trading volume through the ban, the value per kilogram increased to historical highs in December 2023. This could cause buyers to use even more dangerous alternatives, such as fentanyl, if the availability of opium drops.

In addition, the Taliban government has carried out several large raids in the past few months, including the confiscation of over six tons of opium in North Afghanistan-the largest amount since its seizure of power. The constant tensions between farmers and the authorities with regard to the cultivation could lead to violent clashes that have already requested several fatalities.