Silkworm cocoons market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, production of silkworm cocoons in Eastern Asia fell by more than half, from 355.6 thousand tons to 139.7 thousand tons. This decline occurred alongside industry efforts to revitalize sericulture, including the pilot introduction of the high-yielding 'Golden Silkworm No. 1' variety and the 2019 launch of Babei Group's large-scale silkworm-raising factory, designed to produce 10 thousand tons of high-quality cocoons annually. Continued cooperation between companies and farmers aimed to improve profitability, while the promotion of organic certification for mulberry plantations in 2020 supported sustainable practices. By 2021, the popularization of the 'golden cocoon' variety, valued for its higher lutein content and antibacterial properties, began upgrading traditional farming and farmer incomes.

Market volume showed a partial recovery, rising to 149.8 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilizing near that level in 2023. Recent industry initiatives in 2024 included increased purchasing prices and direct subsidies for farmers, as well as the operation of a smart silkworm factory that doubled annual rearing batches and boosted local collective income. Further diversification into related products like Bombyx Batryticatus (dried silkworm larvae) and mulberry-branch fungi created additional revenue streams for sericulture communities.

Production silkworm cocoons in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

World map of production of silkworm cocoons, 2017-2020

Silkworm cocoon production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 159.4 thousand tonnes, which represents a 22.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 62.1%, with an average annual decline of 27.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of silkworm cocoon production in Eastern Asia has also dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 573 million US dollars, marking a sharp 25.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value declined by 67.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 31.4%.

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

Exports silkworm cocoons from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of silkworm cocoons from Eastern Asia have fallen for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 6.6 tonnes, showing a significant 22.5% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 48.5%, with an average annual decline of 19.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 13.4 tonnes, which saw a 5.1% increase from the previous year. However, in 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading buyer of silkworm cocoons from Eastern Asia, accounting for 8.5% of total export volumes.

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, K $ US

The value of silkworm cocoon exports from Eastern Asia has also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were worth 106 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp 26.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 56.2%, with an average annual decline of 24.1%. The peak value was in 2018 at 264 thousand US dollars, which saw a 9.0% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest decline of 45.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Russia, and France formed the core group of markets for silkworm cocoon exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 19.1% of exports, Russia for 0.6%, and France for 0.5%, together representing 20.3% 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 silkworm cocoons to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of silkworm cocoons into Eastern Asia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 259.6 tonnes, which is a 25.0% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 2 494.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 196.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar was the key partner for silkworm cocoon imports in volume terms, making up 93.1% of total imports.

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, K $ US

The value of silkworm cocoon imports into Eastern Asia has also grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 3 802 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 116.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 2 044.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 177.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Myanmar and Tajikistan accounted for the majority of silkworm cocoon imports in value terms, jointly representing 89.0% of total import value.

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

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