Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS

August 22nd, 2002

Bitter Harvest
Map: From Poppy Field to Western Markets: Market Profiles for Afghan-Origin Heroin

In 1999, Afghanistan accounted for 79 percent of the world’s heroin supply. Prices in markets bordering Afghanistan skyrocketed after September 11, often doubling in the space of just a few months. Much of Afghan’s opiate trade goes to neighboring or nearby countries — Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Russia. Iran, a key market, now has the world’s highest number of heroin seizures. But even markets further afield have been saturated with the product — 90 percent of the U.K.’s heroin, for example, now comes from Afghan opium poppies.

Iran Heroin Seizures: 29,943 kg (2000)
Wholesale Price: $5,125/kg (2000)
Street Price: $2.70/gram (2000)

Pakistan Heroin Seizures: 9,492 kg (2000)
Wholesale Price: $3,491/kg (2000)
Street Price: No data

Tajikistan Heroin Seizures: 1,883 kg (2000)
Wholesale Price: $1,220/kg (2000)
Street Price: $1.85/gram (2000)

Russia Heroin Seizures: 986 kg (2000)
Wholesale Price: $30,000/kg (2000)
Street Price: $22.50/gram (2000)

U.K. Heroin Seizures: 1,496 kg (2000)
Wholesale Price: $29,126/kg (2000)
Street Price: $123.30/gram (2000)

   Print    Email    comments (0)

(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...
post a comment
Please note that the THIRTEEN editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness. No solicitations or advertisements will be allowed. Users may link to other Web sites relevant to discussion, but most often links to commercial Web sites will not be permitted.

Produced by THIRTEEN    ©2009 WNET.ORG Properties LLC. All rights reserved.

Sponsored by Mutual of America

Funding for Wide Angle is provided by PBS, Ford Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation, Judy and Josh Weston, the Estates of Helen and Sam Roseman, Bernard and Irene Schwartz, The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. Corporate support is provided by Mutual of America Life Insurance Company. Special funding for Time for School 3 is provided by Ida C. Schwartz, in memory of Bernard S. Schwartz; Carnegie Corporation of New York; and Paul P. Tanico. Additional funding for educational materials is provided by The Overbrook Foundation.