ONDCP Releases Data on Coca Cultivation and Production in the Andean Region
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released estimates of coca cultivation and potential cocaine production for the Republic of Colombia, the Republic of Peru, and the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to continuing close cooperation with our partners in South America to address our shared challenge of drug production, trafficking and use,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of ONDCP. “As part of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy, we are pursuing policies that expand access to the continuum of care for substance use, go after drug traffickers and their profits, and also address the root causes of participation in the illicit economy in coca-growing areas, such as poverty, insecurity, and the lack of access to services.”
Colombia
Colombia remains a close ally and partner with the United States in reducing and replacing coca cultivation and cocaine production. In 2021, the Colombian Government reported more than 103,000 hectares of manual eradication, 757 metric tons of cocaine and cocaine base seized, and more than 5,700 drug laboratories destroyed. Coca cultivation and cocaine production numbers decreased but remained high at 234,000 hectares and 972 metric tons, respectively. This highlights the importance of implementing the holistic bilateral strategy to help Colombians establish safe and productive livelihoods by increasing state presence and investing in rural security, justice, and development. Under the strategy, the U.S. also supports the Colombian government’s efforts to track and counter environmental crimes that sustain narcotrafficking groups and that have a detrimental impact on Colombia’s environment and the Amazon region.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Cultivation (Hectares) | 83,000 | 78,000 | 80,500 | 112,000 | 159,000 | 188,000 | 209,000 | 208,000 | 212,000 | 245,000 | 234,000 |
| Production Potential (Metric Tons)* | 273 | 263 | 279 | 353 | 564 | 775 | 906 | 869 | 913 | 994 | 972 |
*2019 and 2020 estimated production potential updated with new information.
Peru
The United States recognizes the Government of Peru’s commitment to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine production. Estimated coca cultivation and cocaine production in Peru decreased but remained high at 84,400 hectares and 785 metric tons, respectively. The current level of coca cultivation highlights the importance of returning to pre-pandemic levels of eradication, while investing in a holistic approach that seeks to bring safety, security, and opportunity to rural Peruvians.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Cultivation (Hectares) | 49,500 | 50,500 | 59,500 | 46,500 | 53,000 | 44,000 | 49,800 | 52,100 | 72,000 | 88,200 | 84,400 |
| Production Potential (Metric Tons) | 385 | 388 | 460 | 409 | 445 | 462 | 481 | 527 | 650 | 814 | 785 |
*2019 and 2020 estimated production potential updated with new information.
Bolivia
Bolivia’s estimated coca cultivation and cocaine production remained steady in 2021, at 39,700 hectares and 317 metric tons, respectively. The United States encourages the Government of Bolivia to continue its efforts to reduce coca cultivation and cocaine production.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Cultivation (Hectares) | 25,500 | 25,000 | 27,000 | 35,000 | 36,500 | 37,500 | 31,000 | 32,900 | 42,180 | 39,400 | 39,700 |
| Production Potential (Metric Tons) | 213 | 174 | 188 | 236 | 268 | 284 | 246 | 251 | 301 | 312 | 317 |
Elevated cocaine production levels across South America represent a persistent security challenge for Andean countries and a public health threat in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest provisional data predicted 24,618 overdose deaths involving cocaine in 2021, a 23.5 percent increase compared to cocaine-involved deaths in 2020 (19,927 deaths).
The Biden-Harris Administration’s work with our partners in South America is a key priority of President Biden’s National Drug Control Strategy, which applies a comprehensive approach to beating the overdose epidemic by focusing resources on addressing both untreated addiction and drug trafficking.
Read the Biden-Harris Administration’s inaugural National Drug Control Strategy HERE.
Read the fact sheet on the Strategy HERE.
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