Afghan Opium Output Surges Fivefold Despite Taliban Ban

UN data shows Afghan opium production rose to 1,500 tons in 2026, a fivefold increase from the prior year, despite the Taliban's ban. The surge suggests the ban is ineffective or enforcement is limited, with implications for global heroin supply and Taliban revenue. The reliability of UN estimates is uncertain, but the scale indicates a major policy failure.

AI disclosure: Model-written summary of the source, not a verified fact. Check the sources. How Mosaic works