Afghanistan's Opium Trade Is Booming

Afghan Opium Cultivation Likely To Rise, UN reports -- Stars and Stripes

KABUL — Opium cultivation is expected to increase across Afghanistan, and in several areas where the crop had previously been eliminated production has resumed, according to a U.N. report released Monday.

Despite years of efforts by the NATO-led military coalition and the Afghan government, only the western province of Herat is expected to see a decrease in production this year, according to the report. Afghanistan is the world’s main producer of poppy, which is used to make heroin and provides significant funding for insurgent groups.

“The findings of the 2013 Opium Risk Assessment in the Southern, Eastern, Western and Central regions points to a worrying situation,” the report says.

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More News On Afghanistan's Booming Opium Trade

Opium Production in Afghanistan Increases for Third Year -- New York Times
UN: Afghan Opium Production Increases -- New York Times/AP
Afghan opium cultivation to rise in 2013: U.N. report -- Reuters
Opium cultivation to surge in Afghanistan in 2013 -- Global Post/AFP
Report: Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan expected to increase -- UPI
Afghanistan: high expectations of record opium crop -- The Guardian
Opium crop in Afghanistan heading for record levels -- The Telegraph
Afghanistan expecting record opium crop -- RT
Dramatic increase in Afghanistan opium production: UN -- Khaama Press
Afghanistan's opium crop hits record high as farmers return to planting illicit poppies -- The Independent
UN: Afghan Opium Production Rises for Third Year -- Voice of America
Afghan farmers return to opium as other markets fail -- BBC