The United Nations says poppy cultivation in Afghanistan will more than quadruple by 2026 despite the Taliban regime's ban; the organization says the widespread poverty of farmers and the lack of a viable economic alternative are the main factors. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report on Thursday that the area under poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has increased from 10,000 hectares in 2025 to 43,000 hectares in 2026. According to the report, the estimated production of opium has also increased fivefold, from 300 tons to 1,500 tons.

The United Nations says poppy cultivation in Afghanistan will more than quadruple by 2026 despite the Taliban regime's ban; the organization says the widespread poverty of farmers and the lack of a viable economic alternative are the main factors. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report on Thursday that the area under poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has increased from 10,000 hectares in 2025 to 43,000 hectares in 2026. According to the report, the estimated production of opium has also increased fivefold, from 300 tons to 1,500 tons.