Myanmar is now the world’s largest opium producer, followed by Afghanistan, Mexico and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

• In Myanmar, opium production continues to be concentrated in the eastern parts of the country, notably in Shan State and in Kachin. This pattern has not changed over the last four decades.
• In Afghanistan, opium production is now concentrated in the north-eastern province of Badakhshan, bordering Tajikistan, rather than the province of Helmand and neighboring south-western provinces, which used to be the country’s main opium production center over the last two decades.
• In Mexico, opium production continues to take place primarily in states close to the Pacific coast, notably in Sinaloa and bordering states of Chihuahua and Durango (also known as the “Golden Triangle” of Mexico) as well as in southern Mexico, notably in the state of Guerrero.
• In the Lao PDR, opium production continues to be concentrated in the northern parts of the country.