Raw silk market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the raw silk market volume in South-eastern Asia declined sharply from 1 448 t to 726 t. This drop coincided with increased competition from cheaper foreign textiles produced by multinational companies in the region, which pressured traditional silk production and likely reduced domestic consumption. Despite this, local silk output increased from 1 390 t to 1 519 t, while imports fell from 642 t to 237 t and exports grew from 584 t to 1 030 t over the same period.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market stabilized around 676 t before recovering to 769 t in 2023. Production continued its expansion, reaching 1 768 t in 2023, supported by rising exports which hit 1 612 t that year. Imports also rebounded to 613 t as regional supply chains adapted.

In 2024, imports reached 649 t and exports stood at 1 469 t. Vietnam, a major regional producer, drove activity by targeting $44 billion in textile export turnover, leveraging free trade agreements and a focus on sustainable fashion that valorizes traditional silk materials. Foreign direct investment and the use of digital platforms further integrated the sector into global supply chains.

Production raw silk in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of raw silk, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw silk, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, raw silk production in South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, production remained nearly unchanged at 1 519 tonnes compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 525 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

Exports raw silk from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Raw silk exports from South-eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 1 030 tonnes of raw silk, representing a 19.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 44.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 584 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 47.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the primary and nearly exclusive market for raw silk exports from South-eastern Asia, accounting for 94.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, raw silk export values from South-eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 40 041 thousand US dollars, which is 27.6% lower than in 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 55 330 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 25.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India remained the dominant and almost sole destination for raw silk exports from South-eastern Asia in value terms, capturing 94.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports raw silk to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Raw silk imports into South-eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 237 tonnes of raw silk, representing a 58.2% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 72.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 35.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, China and Brazil together accounted for 89.2% of raw silk imports into South-eastern Asia by volume, with China representing 65.1% and Brazil 24.1% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Raw silk import values into South-eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 13 807 thousand US dollars, marking a 61.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 72.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two key markets—China and Brazil—together represented 88.9% of total raw silk import values into South-eastern Asia, while the remaining value was distributed among a variety of other countries.

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

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