“Opium shipped globally” is a term that primarily refers to the 

illicit trade of opium, as legal production is strictly controlled by international bodies. Recent data indicates significant fluctuations in the illicit market, largely driven by events in Afghanistan. 

Illicit Opium Shipments

The vast majority of the world’s illicit opium originates from Afghanistan, though production in Myanmar is also significant. The global volume of illicit opium is difficult to measure precisely due to its clandestine nature, but production estimates provide insight: 

• 2022 Production: Global illicit opium production was an estimated 7,800 tonnes, with Afghanistan accounting for 6,200 tonnes (80%).
• 2023 Production: Following a cultivation ban imposed by de facto authorities, Afghanistan’s opium production saw a dramatic 95% decline to just 333 tonnes. This significantly reduced the global supply.
• Global Market: The global illicit opiate market was valued at approximately US$68 billion in 2009. Most of the trade is managed by transnational organized crime groups. 

The term “shipped” encompasses various trafficking methods (road, sea, etc.) along major routes like the Balkan route to Europe and other global pathways. 

Legal Opium Shipments

Legal opium production is strictly regulated by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to meet legitimate medical and scientific needs for pain relief medicines like morphine and codeine. 

• Importing countries must submit estimates of their annual requirements to the INCB for confirmation.
• India remains the world’s largest producer of legal opium for the global pharmaceutical market.
• Despite the existing legal supply, there is an acute global shortage of poppy-based medicines, primarily due to underprescription in many countries. The current system limits countries to ordering amounts based on their past consumption levels. 

For further information on the illicit trade, refer to reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. For details on legal regulation, see the INCB website.