Fentanyl Market

The Fentanyl market is witnessing a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period of 2025-2035. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid about 100 times stronger than morphine. It is utilized mainly in hospital environments to control intense pain, for example, in cancer sufferers or in surgeries. Fentanyl, under the control of legally qualified medical officers, has real therapeutic uses. But its power also brings very serious problems when diverted for improper use.

Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking:

Illicitly made fentanyl (IMF) is now a significant threat to the United States. Early on, China was recognized as the main source of IMF and its related substances, frequently trafficked via international mail and express consignment services. But with regulation changes in China, such as the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, a significant change has been observed in production and trafficking trends. Mexican transnational criminal groups (TCOs), specifically the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel, have increasingly played key roles in manufacturing and distributing fentanyl for the U.S. market. The groups have opened secret laboratories where they produce fentanyl by synthesizing precursor chemicals, some of which are imported from China and India. ​Regulatory and Enforcement Actions:

To the growing fentanyl crisis, some regulatory and enforcement steps have been taken. China’s move to regulate all types of fentanyl as a class of drugs in May 2019 was a big step towards halting the manufacture and export of IMF. The step involved tougher investigations of established manufacturing sites, tighter control over internet locations selling fentanyl, and the establishment of special teams to pursue tips on fentanyl trafficking.

Within the United States, law enforcement officials have ramped up efforts to disrupt fentanyl production and trafficking networks. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized large quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl-adulterated counterfeit pills. In 2024 alone, the DEA seized more than 60 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and almost 8,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, equivalent to over 377 million deadly doses. These numbers highlight the extent of the problem and the need for ongoing vigilance and enforcement.