Peru’s coca leaf growing area shrank by 2.3% in 2023, after growing every year since 2015, according to a report by the country’s anti-drug commission DEVIDA.

Coca leaves are traditionally chewed or made into a tea, but analysts and government officials have warned that the majority of the crops are used to make cocaine.

The coca plant covered an area of 92,784 hectares (358.241027 square miles) last year, compared with the 95,008 hectares registered in 2022, the report showed.

Despite the decline in Peru, demand for cocaine continues to increase globally, the report said. – Report from Reuters

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