Top 10 Natural Silk Producing and Exporting Countries in the World | Economy

Aljazeera.net correspondents

Silk is one of the luxurious fabrics and shiny textiles that is gaining great popularity all over the world. The main qualities of silk fibers include its lustrous appearance, luxurious feel, elasticity, light weight and strength.

It is a natural and versatile fiber derived from the cocoons of the silkworm. There are several stages in silk production; from raising the silkworm and harvesting the cocoons to spinning, weaving and trimming the silk.

The market is driven by factors such as the increasing demand for luxury goods, advancements in silk production techniques, and the growing popularity of sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics.

The global silk market is expected to be worth USD 20 billion in 2024 and reach USD 44.6 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2034, according to Future Market Insight.

Types of natural silk

There are 4 main types of natural silk produced around the world according to the “Biddle Sower Silks” platform:

1. Mulberry silk
2. Erie silk
3. Tasar silk
4. Muga silk

It is enough to know that to produce one kilogram of silk, 3,000 silkworms consume 104 kilograms of mulberry leaves. It takes about 5,000 silkworms to make a kimono (a traditional Japanese dress) from pure silk, according to the Medium platform.

Applications of natural silk in industry and modern science

Natural silk is used in a large number of industries, products and scientific applications, according to the World Atlas and Allied Market Research platforms, the most prominent of which are:

1. Luxury silk clothing and textiles industry
2. Electronics industries: as insulation coils for radio receivers and telephones
3. Medical uses: include suture materials and medical bandages.
4. Medicines and Pharmaceuticals: Mulberry silk has antibacterial and anti-allergic properties and can treat many skin diseases and infections.
5. Automotive industry: Silk is also used as a component of tires.
6. Military uses: used in the manufacture of parachutes and gunpowder bags.

Key Factors Driving Silk Market Growth

Silk is often associated with luxury due to its softness, luster and durability, and demand for luxury fabrics such as silk is expected to increase as incomes rise globally, especially in emerging economies.

The most important factors stimulating market growth, according to the Future Market Insight platform, are:

• Silk is a staple in the fashion industry, with designers frequently incorporating it into their collections, and fashion trends and consumer preferences play a significant role in driving demand for silk clothing and accessories.
• Technological advances in silk production, such as improved silkworm rearing techniques and innovative processing methods, are leading to higher quality silk products and increased efficiency in silk production.
• The emergence of e-commerce and online retail platforms has made silk products accessible to consumers across the world. These platforms provide a convenient way for consumers to purchase silk products and explore a wide range of options from different suppliers.

Challenges in the silk market

• The silk production process is labor intensive including raising silkworms, collecting cocoons, and extracting silk. High production costs, including labor costs, feed costs, and energy expenses, can impact the profitability of silk farming and production.
• Silk production is sensitive to weather conditions and climate fluctuations. Adverse weather events such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures can disrupt silk production cycles, reduce output and affect quality, leading to supply shortages and price fluctuations.
• Silkworms are susceptible to diseases, pests and parasitic infestations that can reduce the number of silk cocoons and cause significant economic losses to silk producers. Disease outbreaks, such as bacterial infections and viral diseases, can spread rapidly within silkworm colonies and jeopardize silk production.
• Silk faces competition from synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon, which offer similar quality at lower production costs. The availability of inexpensive synthetic alternatives and the increasing preference for synthetic fabrics in market applications could pose a challenge to the growth of the silk market.

Top 10 Natural Silk Producing Countries in the World

Below is a list of the top 10 raw silk producing countries in the world in 2022 according to the International Sericulture Commission, an intergovernmental organization registered with the United Nations, which works to develop the global sericulture and silk industry. Also according to a scientific study that covered the production of raw silk in the world from 2011 to 2022.

1. China: 50,000 metric tons
2. India: 36.6 thousand metric tons
3. Uzbekistan: 2037 metric tons
4. Vietnam: 1067 metric tons
5. Thailand: 435 metric tons
6. Brazil: 375 metric tons
7. North Korea: 370 metric tons
8. Iran: 275 metric tons
9. Bangladesh: 35 metric tons
10. Japan: 10 metric tons

Top 10 Natural Silk Exporting Countries in the World

Below is a list of the top 10 natural silk exporting countries in the world in 2022, valued in US dollars, according to the OAC World platform.

1. China: $914 million (47.9% of world silk exports)
2. Italy: $264 million (13.8%)
3. Vietnam: $148 million (7.76%)
4. Uzbekistan: $94.1 million (4.93%)
5. Romania: $87.3 million (4.57%)
6. India: $86 million (4.51%)
7. France: $49.2 million (2.58%)
8. Brazil: $37 million (1.94%)
9. Japan: $32.2 million (1.69%)
10. South Korea: $29.6 million (1.55%)

Top 10 Natural Silk Importing Countries in the World

Although India is one of the largest producers of natural silk in the world, it is also a major importer due to its thriving textile industry and global demand for silk products produced at home and abroad. Italy is also a major importer due to the high demand for its luxury silk products. Below is a list of the top 10 importers of natural silk in the world, as mentioned above.

1. Italy: $323 million (16.9%)
2. India: $305 million (16%)
3. France: $112 million (5.86%)
4. Japan: $102 million (5.33%)
5. Romania: $87.3 million (5%)
6. Vietnam: $90.7 million (4.75%)
7. China: $90.7 million (4.75%)
8. United States: $72.8 million (3.81%)
9. Pakistan: $60.1 million (3.15%)
10. Tajikistan: $43.6 million (2.28%)

The 3 largest Arab silk producing countries

There is no strong interest in silk production in the Arab region, and most Arab countries import the silk they need for their textile industries from global markets.

Below is a list of the top 3 Arab silk producing countries in 2021, according to the International Sericulture Committee.

1. Egypt: 2 metric tons
2. Tunisia: 2 metric tons
3. Syria: 1 metric ton