Opium production in Myanmar surges to nine-year high - BBC News

The production of opium increased sharply in Myanmar, rising by a third last year, according to the United Nations.

It touched nearly 795 metric tonnes in 2022, nearly double the production in 2021 - 423 metric tonnes - the year of the military coup.

The UN believes this is driven by economic hardship and insecurity, along with higher global prices for the opium resin that is used to make heroin.

The coup plunged much of Myanmar into a continuing civil war.

#Myanmar #BBCNews

[nomastersnogods]

I visited Myanmar in 2010. It is a beautiful, wonderful country. It breaks my heart to see what is happening there.
Peace & prosperity for Myanmar!

[unseenabyss]

Poppy opium isn't as potent as most synthetics but still extremely addictive

[j.lietka]

Another reason is because in Afghanistan, the Taliban cracked down on poppy / opium growing. About a 95% reduction

[rob]

Under the military junta? You don't say...

[XXXTENTAClON]

East India Company: “What’s up China?”

[srikanthvittal]

We don't have any time for Western media

[reeling-in]

You can rely on the BBC for their feel-good news items!

[miskatonicalumni]

Send some to North America! All we have is fentanyl analogues!

[scott]

With the introduction of very cheap to buy fentanyl why would one need heroine?

[vdyt]

Why BBC not made documentary on genocide of Blacks & Asian by Britishers.

[Clancydaenlightened]

guess middle east and places like Afghanistan have competition on global market share

[suhasbokare]

Dear BBC - We like Modi to the extent needed. So please don't make us dislike England to the extent needed

[ved]

Sir aapse request hai please ek documentary Britishers pe banayiye in robbers ka real face sabko pata chalna chahiye please do it soon.

[maryhinge]

This opium stuff sounds cool. Where can I get some?

[pattimessenger]

Opium is also used for prescription pain killers. Right now there is a shortage of them. The focus of this piece is illicit drugs.

[denisemurphy]

Other countries produce Opium, an essential raw material in modern medicine. Yes the Junta that runs Myanmar are deplorable, but the west has bled the country dry of its wealth for centuries, including America's own Herbert Hoover. Now it is impoverished, and should be able to sell its produce on the open market. Banning them from the pharma market will just encourage the black market.

[kyawthetthk]

All has been badly damaged by military Coup. We all bitterly hate military coup and soldiers. We want democracy, we want freedom. Like Ukrainian, help and kindly support us weapons to against the military coup. Anyway we never give up fighting for our freedom. ✊✊💪💪💪

[carlomikhailreid]

It's just a plant it just grow like that but If you happened to set it in fire there are some affects

[muslimresponse]

because the west could not grow it in Afghanistan anymore, that is why!

[aact]

Afghanistan stopped being the No.1 producer. The West needs someone else to supply it