Taliban curtails poppy growth

According to a New York Times article by Kirk Kraeutler, the Taliban has pulled back poppy growth in an effort to push opium prices back up.

The U.N., who apparently tracks this type of statistic, says worldwide opium demand is 4,400 tons a year. Afghanistan produced 8,500 tons last year.

Even those of us with a limited background in economics, know that is supply is almost double of demand, downward pricing pressure would be applied. Obviously Taliban leadership realizes this and is doing something to address it.