Silkworm cocoons market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The market for silkworm cocoons in ASEAN expanded from 13 301 t in 2018 to 20 336 t in 2021. This growth was supported by institutional efforts in the Philippines, where the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) established filature facilities with modern reeling machines in 2020, enabling local cocoon processing. In 2021, Japanese organizations recognized and supported the construction of silkworm rearing houses in Misamis Oriental, providing skills training and technical assistance to farmers, which improved infrastructure and knowledge transfer in the sericulture sector.

Market volume stabilized at around 20 000 t in 2022 and 2023. During this period, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) introduced four new silkworm hybrids with higher productivity and better adaptability in 2022, enhancing breed competitiveness. Concurrently, research in Malaysia in 2023 indicated that selected herbal plant extracts could improve silkworm biological characteristics, pointing to ongoing efforts to boost cocoon quality and yield.

The sector continued to develop with significant regional investments in 2024. Vietnam saw large-scale automatic silk reeling factories built, cooperative models strengthened, and new high-yield silkworm varieties applied. In the Philippines, the industry expanded with modern reeling equipment and training programs, while Thailand promoted organic silkworm farming prototypes and innovations in silk-based medical products.

Production silkworm cocoons in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

World map of production of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

Silkworm cocoon production in ASEAN has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, ASEAN produced 18 950 tons of silkworm cocoons, marking a solid 10.4% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 51.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports silkworm cocoons from ASEAN

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 663 kg, while the maximum was in 2019 at 63 321 kg, representing an 8.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, ASEAN exported 22 158 kg of silkworm cocoons, indicating an abrupt drop of 65.0% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 726.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 82.4% of total exports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 101.8 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 520.6 thousand US dollars, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 5.1 times. In 2020, foreign silkworm cocoon supplies from ASEAN registered 151.5 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 70.9% from 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 411.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with China alone responsible for 92.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports silkworm cocoons to ASEAN

Imports in kind, kg

The volume of silkworm cocoon imports into ASEAN declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume amounted to 143 kg, which is 52.0% lower than the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 98.1%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 73.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China and Turkey remained the main suppliers of silkworm cocoons to ASEAN, with a combined share of 89.2% of total imports in kind, and the remainder fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4.3 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2020, representing a 45-fold shift. In 2020, ASEAN imported silkworm cocoons worth 151.5 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp advance of 4,373.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 94.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uzbekistan and Turkey concentrated the majority of imports in value terms of silkworm cocoons to ASEAN, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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