World Drug Report 2006 - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

<strong>World</strong> <strong>Drug</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2006</strong> Volume 2. Statistics
3.1.2. Myanmar
During the last decade, policies by both the central government and local authorities continued to promote a
rapid reduction in opium cultivation. Despite these efforts, Myanmar continues to be the main opium
producer in Southeast Asia and the second largest opium producer in the world. The country’s share of the
world opium poppy cultivation fell slightly from 23 per cent in 2004 to 21 per cent in 2005.
Estimated area under opium poppy cultivation area decreases by 26 per cent
In 2005, the total area under opium poppy cultivation was estimated at 32,800 ha, representing a decrease of
26 per cent against 2004. Ninety percent of the total opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar took place in the
Shan State.
Estimated opium production declines by 16 per cent
Higher yields effectively doubled opium production in South Shan State in 2005, although production
continued to decrease in other areas. The weighted national average opium yield was therefore estimated at 9.5
kg/ha against 8 kg/ha in 2004. In 2005, the total estimated production of opium was around 312 mt, a 16 per
cent decrease compared to the previous year.
Eradication
Official reports from the Myanmar Government indicate that 3,907 ha of opium poppy were eradicated in
2005, an increase of 39 per cent compared to 2004. In the Shan State, the level of eradication remained similar
to 2004, while eradication activities increased by more than 900 per cent in Kachin State, reflecting intensified
government efforts to control opium poppy cultivation in this state.
Farm gate prices increase by 22 per cent
The average farm gate price of opium at harvest time was estimated at US$ 187/kg. This represents an increase
of 22 per cent compared to 2004 (US$ 153/kg).
Household income in Shan State
The average annual cash income of opium producing households in 2005 was estimated at US$ 292. This is an
increase of 36 per cent against the previous year. The average income of non-opium producing households,
however, was 20 per cent higher (US$ 364), thus confirming the link between poverty and opium production.
Farm gate value
The average farm gate value of the countries opium production of 312 mt was estimated to be US$ 58 million,
equivalent to 0.7 per cent of the country's GDP.
Addiction
In Myanmar, opium addiction remains closely linked to opium production. On average, opium addiction
affected 0.57 per cent of the adult population in 2005, but 1.74 per cent of the population in opium-growing
villages. This is significantly higher than in non-opium growing villages, were only 0.28 per cent of the adult
population is addicted to opium.
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