Raw silk market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The raw silk market in Eastern Asia contracted sharply from 116.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 51.8 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was driven by industry challenges including resource constraints, rising labor costs, and heightened environmental compliance pressures, which led producers to scale back operations and focus on more sustainable and efficient practices.

From 2021, the market stabilized and entered a period of gradual recovery, reaching 47.0 thousand tons by 2023. This turnaround was supported by the commissioning of new production bases and large-scale facilities, which expanded supply capacity. Concurrently, government policies promoting green development and a rising consumer preference for high-quality, natural fibers strengthened demand and encouraged industry consolidation, with smaller, less efficient players exiting the market.

Production raw silk in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw silk, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw silk, 2017-2020

Raw silk production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 53.7 thousand tons of raw silk, marking a significant drop of 22.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 62.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 27.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Raw silk production in Eastern Asia has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2,726 million US dollars, representing a substantial decline of 23.7% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 65.2%, with an annualized rate of 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports raw silk from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's raw silk exports have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume stood at 2,405 tons, reflecting a decrease of 45.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 59.7%, averaging an annualized drop of 26.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for raw silk exports from Eastern Asia were India, accounting for 45.3% of exports in volume, Romania with 19.8%, and Vietnam at 11.3%. Together, these three countries made up 76.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Raw silk exports from Eastern Asia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 122.0 million US dollars, showing a sharp fall of 46.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 62.8%, with an annualized rate of 28.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for raw silk exports from Eastern Asia in value terms were India, representing 44.3% of exports, Romania at 19.9%, and Vietnam with 11.2%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 75.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw silk to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After rising for two years, raw silk imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 421 tons, which is 50.3% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 25.2%, with an annualized rate of 9.2%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 848 tons, following the largest increase of 24.8% that same year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, raw silk imports into Eastern Asia came from a diverse range of markets. Uzbekistan was the largest source, accounting for 19.5% of imports in volume, followed by Brazil at 13.5%, and Vietnam with 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented 37.3% of total imports, while numerous smaller suppliers made up the remaining 62.7%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Raw silk imports into Eastern Asia have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 15.7 million US dollars, showing a drop of 46.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 62.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for raw silk imports into Eastern Asia in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Brazil accounted for 18.1% of imports, Uzbekistan for 5.6%, and Vietnam for 1.3%, together representing 25.0% of total flows. The remaining 75.0% came from many other countries.

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

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