Raw silk market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The raw silk market in Central Asia began the period at 1 423 tons in 2018. That year, the expansion of companies into the markets of Kazakhstan and Belarus, along with the reorganization of the major silk wholesale market in Uzbekistan, likely contributed to increased sector activity and set the stage for subsequent growth. Market volume continued to rise, reaching 1 757 tons by 2020, while production remained consistently above 2 200 tons.

In the post-pandemic period, a significant expansion of retail bank lending in 2021 coincided with a rise in market volume to 1 845 tons, suggesting increased consumption and investment. The following year, international support for sustainable silk production and traditional dyeing methods in Uzbekistan, aimed at adapting to climate challenges, helped push the market to its peak of 1 854 tons in 2022. By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 1 822 tons amid ongoing economic recovery and a continued surge in digital service adoption across the region.

Production raw silk in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw silk, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw silk, 2017-2020

Central Asia's raw silk production has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2019, production remained relatively stable compared to the previous year, and in 2020, it reached 2 283 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 60.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, volumes reached their minimum, while they peaked in 2019, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, the output of raw silk in Central Asia was valued at 80 221 thousand US dollars, marking a year-over-year decline of 9.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 88 399 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 72.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports raw silk from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, raw silk exports from Central Asia totalled 534.4 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 32.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 793.8 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, China, and Vietnam were the top buyers of raw silk from Central Asia, accounting for 34.2%, 23.5%, and 17.9% of exports in kind, respectively. Their combined share reached 75.6% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Central Asia's raw silk export volume declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 18 781 thousand US dollars, marking a significant drop of 39.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 19%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 30 910 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for raw silk exports from Central Asia in value terms were Iran, China, and Vietnam, accounting for 34.2%, 24.5%, and 17.5% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 76.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports raw silk to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imported raw silk volumes in Central Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia imported a total of raw silk, representing an 11.0% uptick year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 31.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5.8 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 10.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea remained the key supplier of raw silk to Central Asia, accounting for 0.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of raw silk imports in Central Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 337 thousand US dollars, marking a small rise of 1.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 272 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 22.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea remained the key supplier of raw silk to Central Asia, accounting for 1.3% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020